With 16 listed played in the squad for Nick Malceski’s first game in charge, the Gold Coast SUNS NEAFL team defeated last year’s QAFL preliminary finalists Broadbeach at Bond University on Sunday.
The SUNS were comfortable winners in the end, securing a 170-point victory in what was the first of three practice matches prior to the NEAFL Season kicking off.
Heavy rain fell for much of the match and ensured that both teams would need to work extremely hard to win the contested ball.
Gold Coast dominated proceedings early on, controlling territory and locking the ball inside 50.
This was reflected on the scoreboard with the SUNS registering 12 shots at goal.
Draftee Charlie Ballard started the game on the wing but drifted forward and finished the game with two goals.
The youngster linked up well with the other SUNS’ midfielders, with his second goal coming from a clean passage of play involving Michael Barlow and Matt Rosa.
Gold Coast had an even spread of contributors across the field, including the eight Academy players who were involved in the game.
Riley Dreghorn and Kwaby Boakye slotted two majors a piece, while Damien Burke was also lively in the forward line.
Senior listed ruckmen Tom Nicholls (three goals) and Brayden Crossley (four goals) proved too strong for the opposition both in the ruck and when playing in the forward line.
The SUNS will have a week off before taking on QAFL Premiers Palm Beach Currumbin in their next practice match.
The third and final practice match will be played the following week against the Brisbane Lions.
NEAFL Practice Match
GOLD COAST SUNS 5.7 13.8 18.13 27.16 (178)
BROADBEACH 0.0 0.1 1.2 1.2 (8)
GOALS
Gold Coast: B Crosley 4 ,T Nicholls, 3 M Rosa 2, C Ballard 2, K Boakye 2, B Scheer 2, Barlow 2, Heron 2, Spencer 2, Dreghorn 2, Bowie 1, Burke 1, Willis 1, Schoenfeld 1
Broadbeach: Johnson 1
