After 182 days between games, the Gold Coast SUNS began the 2015 campaign brightly with a hard fought eight-point victory over Geelong in Townsville on Sunday afternoon. goldcoastfc.com.au has reviewed the opening NAB Challenge fixture and identified the following key discussion areas:
Hallahan looks determined to play regular senior football
Former Hawthorn midfielder Mitch Hallahan looked like a player determined to make up for lost time on Sunday afternoon. The 22-year-old clearance specialist was starved of opportunity at the Hawks, with champions aplenty in the brown and gold engine room; Hallahan couldn’t secure a regular game. Against Geelong in Townsville, the Victorian collected a team-high 24 possessions, eight clearances and six marks, in a performance that stamped his desire to secure a berth in Rodney Eade’s round one side. One game is hardly a large enough sample size, but Gold Coast SUNS supporters will be hoping Hallahan can emulate another Hawthorn eloper in Sydney’s Josh Kennedy.
Smith takes upper hand in No.1 ruck duel
For much of the pre-season, the battle for the No. 1 ruck spot has been fiercely contested between Zac Smith and Tom Nicholls. The pair have endured a frustrating couple of seasons at Metricon Stadium due to long-term injuries, with the latter hardly getting a proper run at things during his entire time at the SUNS. Smith made his intentions emphatically clear against Geelong behemoth Dawson Simpson. The Queenslander dominated the ruck as well as getting his hands on the football around the ground in a polished performance that prompted Eade to label Smith as the SUNS' best player. Nicholls will get his opportunity to return fire this weekend against Greater Western Sydney.
Could Adam Saad be the next mature-aged rookie gem?
With dare and dash, former VFL star Adam Saad announced himself as a player who could become the games next mature-aged rookie steal. It’s far too early to label him as the next Michael Barlow, but like Patrick Ambrose in 2014, Saad has the potential to come from the periphery and secure a permanent spot during this campaign. The pacey small defender found space where moments earlier it didn’t exist, using his precise left foot to hit leading targets. Saad finished with 13 possessions including 5 inside 50’s to help mount his case for an early promotion off the rookie list. Fellow first-gamer Jarrod Garlett also got off the mark in eye-catching fashion by kicking an equal team-high two goals. But it was his defensive pressure acts that shone brightly in the Townsville sun. The 18-year-old picked off opposition ball carriers like he was hunting prey, registering five tackles to go with a generous helping of pressure acts in his debut.
Inaccuracy in front of goal lucky not to hurt
Gold Coast’s wayward kicking in front of goal in the third quarter allowed Geelong to remain in the game. Had the SUNS converted their chances after the main break, instead of kicking 1.7, the game may have been dead and buried at 3Ž4 time. By the final siren, the SUNS had 29 scoring shots to 18, yet only scraped over the line by eight points. Admittedly, the opening pre-season game brings with it untidy foot skills and inaccuracy in front of goal, and coupled with the extreme heat conditions, the SUNS can be excused for their inefficiency. One would think this issue would resolve itself in the coming weeks with players becoming more accustomed to the pace of the game following a long off-season.
Rischitelli picks up where he left off in 2014
Stand-in-captain Michael Rischitelli has drawn praise for his pre-season from a range of the SUNS' football department. On Sunday afternoon, the revered leader lead from the front in the absence of skipper Gary Ablett, collecting 21 possessions, including 13 contested disposals, as well as seven clearances. After injury ruined his 2012 and 2013 campaigns, Rischitelli returned to his best last season and looks determined to continue to perform to that level in the twilight years of his career.
Out of the Schade and straight into the heat of battle
Henry Schade was forced to wait and wait, and wait a little more for his first opportunity in a Gold Coast guernsey. The Tasmanian key defender was rewarded with a baptism of fire following his best pre-season to date. His task was to quell Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins as well as comeback story Mitch Clark. Hardly easy tasks for even seasoned veterans, but the debutant performed admirably, never looking overawed by the contest. An ankle injury late in the game soured his maiden appearance, but it doesn’t appear too serious with Schade likely to play again this weekend against the Giants.
