The Gold Coast SUNS have named a relatively inexperienced line up for Sunday’s NAB Challenge opener against Geelong at Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville.
In the absence of a handful of senior players, new coach Rodney Eade has sent a fresh-faced squad to tackle the Cats with former Sydney premiership star Nick Malceski and highly-rated ex-Hawk Mitch Hallahan set to represent the SUNS for the first time.
Along with the trade period acquisitions, four of last year’s draftees – two from the National Draft and two from the Rookie Draft – will get their first opportunity at this level.
A family affair in Townsville
In an interesting twist of events, second-year rebounding defender Kade Kolodjashnij will begin his 2015 campaign with a clash against his twin brother, Jake, in far north Queensland. The young Cats defender is yet to play a game of senior football, but is considered a replacement in the wings for veterans Corey Enright, Tom Lonergan and Andrew Mackie.
Looking to impress
Alex Sexton and Matt Shaw have been two SUNS to impress new coach Eade on the training track this summer; both will be out to press their claims for a spot in Gold Coast’s round one side against Melbourne.
In the absence of injured key defenders Steven May and Rory Thompson, Seb Tape, Henry Schade and Jack Leslie will get an opportunity against powerful Geelong opposition. Dual premiership spearhead Tom Hawkins will no doubt pose a challenge for whoever plays on him.
The journey of Mitch Clark has been well documented in the last twelve months and whilst he is tipped to spend time in the ruck, the agile tall will be dangerous inside 50, alongside the powerfully built Shane Kersten.
Fresh faces
High draftees Jarrod Garlett (pick No. 15) and Touk Miller (pick No. 29) will get their first taste of senior football. The ambitious pair have set their sights on an early debut this campaign, so they will be looking to put some runs on the board sooner rather than later.
Mature-aged rookies Adam Saad and Keegan Brooksby have both played senior football at state league level previously with Coburg (VFL) and South Adelaide (SANFL) respectively. Both have been rewarded after eye-catching summers on the track.
Geelong’s prized recruit Nakia Cockatoo played only one game of football last season, but showed enough in that outing (and in previous encounters) to be plucked at pick No. 10 in last year’s National Draft. Many eyes will be on the Cats new number five – a number worn famously by SUNS captain Gary Ablett’s father during his legendary career at Kardinia Park.
Melbourne discard Sam Blease will get an opportunity to prove himself in navy and white hoops in Townsville after a fruitless six seasons at AAMI Park. The speedster was selected by the Cats as a delisted free agent in November in order to fill a gap on their list following the departure of speedy pair Allen Christensen (Brisbane) and Travis Varcoe (Collingwood).
Engine room battle
With Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel, triple-premiership star James Kelly, Mitch Duncan, Matthew Stokes and Steven Motlop all going through Geelong’s engine room, the SUNS will be in for a tough first-up test. 2014 best and fairest recipient David Swallow, Harley Bennell, Michael Rischitelli and former Hawthorn inside specialist Hallahan won’t be afforded the luxury of warming into the new year.
