goldcoastfc.com.au looks at some of the key talking points to come out of Gold Coast’s three-point win over Essendon in the second week of the JLT Community Series.

Unscathed

Given the injury troubles that have hit Metricon Stadium over the past two years and the loss of swingman Sam Day to a season-ending injury in the first 10 minutes of the 2017 season, SUNS coaching staff would be extremely happy to be boarding their Virgin Australia flight back to the Gold Coast tonight with no major injuries.

Sean Lemmens was badly winded after going back with the flight in the final quarter and there will no doubt be some tired and sore players after a game played in brutal heat, but Rodney Eade’s men appear well placed with 11 days until their final JLT Series game against reigning premier Western Bulldogs at home.

With Jarrod Witts, Gary Ablett and Jarryd Lyons set to return from injury against the Bulldogs and a number of others pushing their cases for a recall, the SUNS match committee should have some difficult decisions to make as they look to finalise their all-important round one line-up.


SUNS nearly left to rue missed opportunities

If you looked at the key indicators at the half-time break, you’d safely assume the SUNS were firmly in control of the JLT Series game against Essendon.

The SUNS led inside 50s (35-16), clearances (20-12), disposals (223-161) and contested possessions (88-54), but could only take an eight-point lead into the main break after failing to make the most of their opportunities in a dominant opening half.

Going into the game without spearhead All Australian forward Tom Lynch and the injured Sam Day, the SUNS started the game with Peter Wright as the key target up forward. Long balls bombed into the forward 50 provided no issues for stand-in Bombers captain Michael Hurley and his fellow defenders, with John Worsfold’s troops dropping players behind the ball to bring the Sherrin to ground before hurting Gold Coast on the counter attack.

Essendon booted the first four goals of the game before the SUNS were able to grind their way back into the contest to trail by just one point at the quarter-time break.

The matter wasn’t helped in the second quarter with a handful of SUNS players all missing gettable opportunities in front of goal while Essendon converted the majority of theirs at the other end.

A passage of play early in the fourth quarter summed up the day for Gold Coast, with Touk Miller hitting the post from inside 50 before the ball was slingshot up the other end in no time where Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti slotted the goal for the Bombers.

While the SUNS were able to sneak home for the win, coach Rodney Eade will no doubt be looking to improve the efficiency of his side’s offense as well as reduce the ability for opponents to hurt on the rebound.

The return of Lynch, the AFL’s premier contested marking player, will provide a huge boost but the SUNS need to use the football a lot better when attacking if they’re to climb up the ladder in 2017.

"The result is not the be-all and end-all, but where we're coming from, it was pleasing to win in the end," Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade said.

"I think it was a step up from our last game as far as our improvement.

"There were still some areas to work on. I thought our efficiency going inside 50 was average ... shots at goal, we probably kicked four out on the full and missed some we should have kicked, so there's certainly some things to work on."


Brodie shines in opening term

In the pre-game coverage, Fox Footy commentators were looking for last year’s No. 4 draft pick Ben Ainsworth to have a big impact after showing positive signs in the opening JLT Series contest against Brisbane last week.

But it was Ainsworth’s best mate Will Brodie who showcased his massive potential early. With Gold Coast trailing by 24-points in the opening term, the determined youngster sparked his side with the SUNS’ first two goals of the game.

The second goal showed how composed and comfortable the Murray Bushrangers product is at the top level, sidestepping a Bombers opponent before calmly slotting it through from directly in front.

Brodie finished the opening term with 7 disposals (4 contested), 2 clearances, 2 tackles and 2 goals after starting the game inside the centre square. It drew comparisons to Sydney Swans superstar midfielder Josh Kennedy, huge wraps for an 18-year-old yet to play a senior game at AFL level.

Brodie ended up with 18 disposals and five tackles but faded somewhat as the game wore on, as young players new to the system often do. The No. 9 pick did his chances of a round one berth absolutely no harm though and appears set to play regular senior footy sooner rather than later.

Ainsworth didn’t let his fellow draftee take the entire spotlight though, with two first-half goals of his own as well as a goal assist as he looks to cement a place at the feet of Tom Lynch in the opening round.


Jack Martin’s versatility on show

In Rodney Eade’s media conference on Friday, the veteran mentor said he’d love to have three Jack Martin’s in his team; one forward, one back and one in the midfield.

While some reporters laughed at the throwaway line, the opening half in Mackay demonstrated that perhaps Eade wasn’t completely joking.

Martin started the game providing drive off half-back before being shifted forward in the second term where he had an instant impact, booting a goal in the first 30 seconds of the quarter.

The West Australian should’ve had three for the game but missed two opportunities he would kick nine times out of ten. The 22-year-old finished the game with 19 disposals, five inside 50s and one goal.

Where Rocket starts Martin in round one is anyone’s guess!


Midfield depth finally here

After two difficult seasons, most would expect the SUNS midfield to be under siege when names like Gary Ablett, Aaron Hall, Jarryd Lyons and Matt Rosa aren’t on the team sheet.

But a focus on bringing midfielders to the club in the off-season and the continued development of the club’s young mids is reaping dividends, with the SUNS’ midfield looking like it’s batting extremely deep going into 2017.

Michael Barlow, discarded by Fremantle at the end of 2016, finished the game with 31 disposals (13 contested). His 18 handballs illustrated just how much work the former Docker did around the contest and his leadership is providing intangible benefits amongst a relatively young group.

Fellow recruit Pearce Hanley added 23 disposals, Touk Miller had 21 (11 contested), wingman Matt Shaw 20 and David Swallow tallied 18 at 100% efficiency, another big step for the 2014 Club Champion after a long-term layoff.

Jesse Lonergan had 18 touches and booted a clutch goal to put the SUNS ahead in the final quarter, while we’ve already spoken about Will Brodie’s achievements.

Perhaps the most complete performance on the day belonged to Alex Sexton. The utility took huge strides forward at the end of 2016 after being thrust into the midfield and ended the game against the Bombers with 25 disposals, seven marks and a team-high in clearances (five), inside 50s (eight) and metres gained (635m). Add two goals to that resume and Sexton will be one of the first picked each week if he can continue that kind of form. The local access selection has become a vital player for the SUNS.


A dominant display by captain May

Newly appointed captain Steven May is determined to build a winning culture at the Gold Coast SUNS and while many pundits think the JLT Community Series provides limited value, the Northern Territorian stated earlier in the week that he wants to win every time he goes into battle.

Not only did his side register the victory against the Bombers, May highlighted once again why he’s one of the premier full backs in the competition both from a leadership perspective and a playing perspective.

Matched up against Bombers forward Joe Daniher, who booted 43 goals last season to finish runner-up in Essendon’s best and fairest, May didn’t give the strong marking forward an inch.

Daniher was held goalless, registering just a solitary handball on a day where the SUNS captain clearly held the upper hand.

Not only did May completely shut out Daniher, he finished with 15 disposals of his own at 100% efficiency and eight marks to stamp an ominous message to the key forwards in the AFL.