With the loss of key defender Charlie Ballard to an ACL injury, SUNS Senior Coach Damien Hardwick is keeping a close eye on several SUNS players to fill the void.
Hardwick has a number of options waiting in the wings with the SUNS set to face the Melbourne Demons this Saturday at the MCG.
“It's disappointing to lose a player of Chuck's calibre. There's no question about that but it does provide an opportunity for someone else to step up,” Hardwick said.
“It'll be a little bit different week to week. This week, whether Joel Jeffrey or Caleb Graham comes in and fills Chuck's void, we're very confident that whichever one we do go with will be able to fill that role.
“We're really confident both those boys can play at the highest level.”
Mac Andrew and Sam Flanders will also have a point to prove in their bid for selection in Thursday’s main session.
Hardwick is hopeful the two forces will finally play their first match for the 2025 campaign.
“Mac’s got to get through training today… we're pretty confident that he will but he's just still got to tick that box today,” Dimma added.
“They're both probable but they've both got to get through a training session. We're reasonably confident that those boys will both get up to play.”
StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduate, Jed Walter will also be looking to impress at training, after missing both the pre-season clashes and the SUNS domination over West Coast in Round One due to a suspension.
“Jed's available.. he'll train today. He's got to train his way into the side [but] we've been really impressed with Jed's growth,” Dimma said.
Hardwick also teased a triple threat of Ben King, Jed Walter and Ethan Read ruling the forward line together this season.
“Being tall is being tall, but you've got to be able to play the game at the highest level,” Hardwick said.
“What we're really confident in, is King, Read and Walter. We've got some really high-end talent that we've got to continue to work with and develop and Brad Miller their coach does a wonderful job with that.
“We're very confident that all three can play on the same side, whether that's this week or [another].”
The SUNS will name its team at 5:20pm AEST on Thursday.
