In a trade period unlike any other, Nick Malceski’s decision to join the Gold Coast SUNS after more than a decade in the Harbour City took a little longer to generate the sort of buzz it may have in previous seasons. But, when a captain walks out on a club and a No. 1 draft pick demands a trade home you can see why.
But, since arriving in Carrara at the start of November and immediately getting back on the tools – despite not being required to join training for another two weeks – Malceski’s impact has been profound. By season’s end, his acquisition may well be the most successful move made in the hysteria that was the 2014 trade and free agency period.
On the eve of his maiden appearance in the red and gold of the AFL’s 17th franchise, Malceski admits the move north has provided him with an extra spark in the twilight of his career.
“(Moving clubs at 30 has) definitely freshened me up, also my family. It’s a good lifestyle up here on the Gold Coast and being around a new bunch of guys, playing a different game style has been really, really good,” Malceski told SUNS TV on Thursday afternoon.
The 30-year-old rebounding defender didn’t hide the fact he thought the training standards at the club were below par when he arrived. A sentiment echoed by new senior coach Rodney Eade, who has fervently driven a higher set of training and living principles since his arrival in November.
Five SUNS debutants confirmed for Saturday
Regarded as one of the best half-back flankers in the competition, the 2014 All-Australian defender is adamant the training standards have dramatically improved over the course of the summer.
“Yeah definitely (seen a big improvement). The longer we’ve gone, the better we’ve gotten at our standards and we’ve really been driving them hard to improve each session,” he said.
“The young group here are really driven to learn and become better and I guess getting ‘Rocket’ here has really pushed them to do that. It’s really impressed me the way they’ve gone about it. They just want to improve each week.”
In the final NAB Challenge encounter against the Brisbane Lions, the SUNS back six finally got an opportunity to play together after a couple of untimely injuries during the pre-season. Key posts Steven May and Rory Thompson got some invaluable game time into their legs ahead of round one.
Despite the limited match practice together, Malceski is confident the defensive unit – with a slight glint of old and new – can operate smoothly and take no time to build synergy.
“Obviously the boys have been playing together for a number of years now, so I guess me and ‘Saady’ are the only new guys down there, we’ve slotted in nicely,” Malceski said.
“There’s a lot of guys who play the same role, so we can really gel together off the half-back line.”
