When Nick Malceski signed a three-year deal with the Gold Coast SUNS during last year’s trade period, the club knew they were getting an experienced footballer from the revered Sydney ‘Bloods culture’.
 
What new coach Rodney Eade and the football department at Metricon Stadium may not have realised at the time, was Malceski’s impact on the training track. His wealth of experience is no secret; nor is his ability to rise again following long-term injury.
 
But, last year’s All-Australian half back has dramatically lifted the voice at training. Due to the young playing list at the club and the lack of seasoned veterans, the noise on the track at Carrara is quieter than most.
 
Eade revealed Malceski’s influence would not be solely felt by the way he glides out of defensive fifty, nor the way he can cut opposition zones to shreds with his precise ball use. Instead, his impact from an educational viewpoint will be profound, particularly on such an impressionable list.

VIDEO: Rodney Eade invited SUNS TV into his office to chat about the recently announced leadership group.
 
“I think he’s impact is not only going to be his football ability I think it’s his experience, I think it’s his educational ability, but also his leadership through voice,” Eade told SUNS TV.
 
“It’s a thing I’ve noticed, we’re a really quiet group. I think the things you read about most teams they always say they’re a quiet group.
 
“But being so young, we’ve only got seven players above 25 years of age, (the players are) finding their way in an AFL landscape and trying to forge a career and obviously forge a permanent spot in the side and sometimes guys go quiet.
 
“But his voice is really noticeable on the track and his direction’s fantastic and I think that’s having an impact on the rest of the group, them feeling confident at being able to use their voice and give direction.”