The Gold Coast SUNS may have lost a great opportunity to secure another set of premiership points against Greater Western Sydney, but given the personnel disparity; there were still plenty of positives to take out of the 15-point loss at Metricon Stadium.
One of the major positives, was the form of Rising Star contender Touk Miller. The first-year star has quickly become a reliable member of Rodney Eade’s side, carving out a niche as a terrorising small forward who earns his games off creating pressure.
On Saturday afternoon, the 19-year-old enjoyed his best performance yet, thriving on the added midfield minutes. Miller finished with 27 possessions (18 contested), nine clearances, seven inside 50s, three goal assists and two majors of his own to be one of Rodney Eade’s key contributors.
Gary Ablett’s return to the game continues to turn heads with the champion midfielder producing another marvellous afternoon. He finished with another haul of 30 possessions, to go with nine clearances, five inside 50s, three goals and a new club record for tackles with 17. That is not a misprint. To add even more substance to his day, the little master clocked 708 metres on the gain odometer – the most of any player for round 16.
Nick Malceski produced the best football of his time at the Gold Coast SUNS as his late season resurgence continues. The All Australian defender looked like his old self again, with his disposal close to the elite standard he has set for the last decade. Malceski finished with a season-high 25 disposals, eight rebound 50s and six marks.
Steven May had the unenviable job of manning Coleman medal fancy Jeremy Cameron. Given the game spent a fair chunk of time inside the Giants forward third, to hold Cameron to two goals for the afternoon was a significant win for May and for the SUNS. Whilst he could have kicked more given he booted four behinds, May forced Cameron to lead wide, making his chances of impacting the scoreboard more difficult than the otherwise could have been.
When Tom Nicholls was forced out of the encounter in the opening term, Zac Smith not only justified his selection, he also became vital. The SUNS ruckman got the battle of the ruck duel between Giants pair Tom Downie and Rory Lobb, winning 37 hitouts, to go with 15 possessions, five clearances and five tackles.
Who was your best player in round sixteen?
After fifteen rounds, Michael Rischitelli still leads the Fans Player of the Year award on 237 votes, ahead of Adam Saad on 169 votes and Charlie Dixon on 134 votes.
