The current state of the NEAFL program may be a lingering point of concern for the Gold Coast SUNS, but one player who has assisted the club’s resurgence this season is veteran midfielder Andrew Raines.
 
Through diligence and supreme professionalism, the former Brisbane Lions and Richmond onballer has wrung every drop of football out of his god given talent. And then some more. Particularly in 2015, where he appeared a long shot to play any senior football when he was placed on the SUNS rookie list last December.
 
When Raines joined Gold Coast, the outside perception was that the AFL’s 17th franchise had thrown the 29-year-old a lifeline. Within the four walls of Metricon Stadium, the view was different.
 
The list management team of Scott Clayton and Dom Ambrogio brought Raines in to help improve the playing list’s professionalism and to help the reserves be more competitive after a disastrous 2014 campaign that was littered with carnage and stamped with a big zero in the ‘W’ column.
 
Six senior games this season have been Raines’ reward for a year of application. Whilst his body didn’t allow him to cover the ground in the same grace he used to, his appetite for the contest and thirst for competition hasn’t waned.
 
For reserves coach, Josh Fraser, Raines has been an invaluable commodity. On any given weekend, the reserves are comprised of senior and rookie listed players, academy kids, as well as Southport reserves players. A difficult mix to bring together on game day. And then factor in an unfathomable injury list and a raft of disciplinary issues that have seen seasoned stars return to the NEAFL.
 
“He’s been a really valuable resource for me. I think to be able to bring someone into the footy club with almost a specialised role helping the younger players on game day,” Fraser told goldcoastfc.com.au on Wednesday.
 
“Not withstanding that he played senior footy, but the job he’s done at NEAFL level has been enormous and I think he’s worked in really well with some of the more experienced players and mature players in [Tyrone] Downie and [Keegan] Brooksby and [Josh] Glenn.
 
“I think he’s certainly led the way in terms of standards and expectations and his form’s been really good as well. I couldn’t have asked for anymore from Rainesy this year.
 
“I think on game day, his ability to communicate and motivate the boys because often it’s a really disjointed group with top-ups and players from Southport – Rainesy has a way of bringing them all together. That’s been an important part of our program and of our wins this year.”
 
In ten NEAFL games this year, scattered around his senior appearances that have taken him to Domain Stadium and to Etihad Stadium, Raines has been a picture of consistency in the reserves. Not once has his output dipped below 20 possessions, with the son of a Richmond great averaging 24.8 touches and 3.4 clearances per game in the reserves this season.
 
When Rodney Eade arrived in October he immediately set about improving the club’s standards in terms of professionalism across the board. He wasn’t impressed with the training intensity, the conditioning levels, the accountability or the leadership. Raines epitomises what he is searching from all 45 players on the list.
 
It is that attention to detail, the focus on dotting his i’s and crossing his t’s that has allowed Raines to carve out a career in this game. He’s never been the quickest or the best ball user, but he has ensured he is better prepared than most and it’s a quality that Fraser sternly believes has allowed him to get the best out of himself.
 
“I think his professionalism gives him every chance every week. Not many people probably would have counted on him playing senior footy this year but he came in and performed a pretty good role for us,” Fraser said.
 
“I think he manages his body really well and again he’s a really good example for our younger players and probably some of our players who have been in the system for three or four years that the work you put in Monday to Friday generally produces what happens on game day. He’s set the tone there.
 
“I think it’s ingrained in him how he prepares and he doesn’t compromise on that. He’s just a terrific example for our playing group. His professionalism speaks for itself. I think he’s regarded as one of the most professional players going around.”