Although the majority of Gold Coast’s engine room is sitting in the grandstands, the opportunity and fast-tracked growth it provides for some of the younger midfielders will undoubtedly hold the club in good stead for the future.
Against Fremantle, Alex Sexton announced himself as a legitimate midfielder with a best-on-ground performance while Touk Miller performed exceptionally again in just his second year of AFL football.
The only constant in the centre square over recent weeks has been ruckman Tom Nicholls, who believes the SUNS’ midfield depth will become considerably stronger on the back of increased exposure for the likes of Miller and Sexton.
“We obviously didn’t have the experience in there of Gaz, Rischa, Dion and those blokes but the young boys did an awesome job and really stood up and took it to Fremantle and got the win so it was good,” Nicholls told SUNS TV.
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“I think that growth started last year. We went through a similar phase with injuries and those boys like Jesse and Touk really stood up. Jacky Martin and the likes.
“So that’ll just help them with their experience going into next year and when we get those bona fide midfielders back from injury we’ll have a really deep arsenal.”
Following the win over St Kilda, Nicholls spoke to SUNS TV about the importance of synergy with a full-strength midfield at his feet.
Three weeks later and he’s surrounded by completely new faces, but in admiration of the young group’s work ethic.
“You need those continual games to get that consistency and chemistry,” he said.
“But I think the boys that we’ve got in there have got a massive appetite to work, are really easy to communicate with so they make it a lot easier on my part that’s for sure.”
After stringing nine consecutive games together himself, Nicholls has found some form, winning the ruck battle in recent weeks.
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“Starting to find a little bit of form which is good,” he said.
“I’ve been working super hard on my craft at training and just looking forward to the last five games, continuing to improve and work on every aspect of my game.”
A big challenge awaits the SUNS’ number one ruckman this week with one of the competition’s premier ruckmen in Max Gawn awaiting him.
Nicholls has fastidiously studied the tapes and has some tactics in mind to combat the Demon’s influence at the MCG on Sunday.
“I’ve watched a bit of vision on him, he’s obviously a massive body and uses his height to his advantage so I’ve got a couple of tactics I’ll employ for the centre bounces and around the ground as well,” Nicholls said.
“Really looking forward to the challenge and taking it to the big man.”
