May puts the brakes on Roughead

Last year Steven May emerged as one of the premier key defenders in the land, capable of playing on the opposition’s most damaging weapon and quelling their influence. On Saturday, after serving a three-match ban, May nullified Hawthorn triple premiership star Jarryd Roughead. The former Coleman medalist was restricted to just 0.1 from 11 disposals and had little impact on the game. Before his suspension, May didn't reach the heights he had in 2014. But on Saturday, the man the SUNS need more than anyone else down back, stood up and took the first step forward in putting his season back on track. His standards rose after last year’s consistent season. He now must play to the elevated expectation on a weekly basis. The Northern Territorian is more than capable of a spot in the upper echelon of defensive key posts in the competition - his job on Roughead was a timely reminder of his ability and his sheer presence can not be underestimated. Players clearly walk taller when May is patrolling down back.

Hallahan pulls career-best numbers against former side

Playing against your former side can be an uneasy proposition, regardless of how long you spent at the club or how big an impact you left. Just ask Ryan Griffen, who faced his old mob on the weekend and was a shadow of his former All Australian self. For Mitch Hallahan, his side may not have walked away with the all important four points, but he played like a man with a point to prove. After four fruitless seasons at Hawthorn, which yielded just six senior appearances despite strong services in the VFL, the inside midfielder packed up his bags and headed for greener pastures and a far more pleasant climate. Injuries and form marred his first month or so at the SUNS, but he has fought back strongly in the last three weeks, culminating in arguably the finest performance of his 12-game career on Saturday. Hallahan collected a career-high 30 possessions in conditions that suited his contested, in tight game. He may not possess the pace or polish of his more fancied teammates, many who are sidelined currently, but his endeavour and will is beginning to be rewarded. Hallahan has been marked harshly, perhaps unfairly given some expect him to flourish like fellow Hawthorn elopers Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn, but that is part and parcel of today's game. He must continue to build his form to silence the noise, regardless of how warranted it is.

Just when the injury curse looked to be subsiding

Another week, another injury. It's been the same story all year. And it would be almost amusing if it didn't have such a big impact on on-field results. You are only as good as your cattle, and when the cattle aren't on the paddock, your farm is never going to present as well as it could do with a clean bill of health. The victim of this week’s injury curse was Jack Martin who lasted less than 60 seconds in his comeback from an ankle injury, which had sidelined him for three weeks. With the SUNS battling to hurt teams on the spread and in transition, the loss of another ball carrier who posses speed and who makes intelligent decisions by foot is another dagger in the side. If Rodney Eade was an adolescent boy, you could forgive him for throwing the towel in, packing up his life and driving back to Melbourne. A lack of effort is inexcusable, but an injury toll that could fill a yellow pages makes life incredibly tough. With Adam Saad and Alex Sexton suffering groin complaints against the Hawks, numbers might be particularly lean once again this week. Nick Malceski could return to the senior lineup to face his old side this weekend after the All Australian rebounding defender got through his return game in the NEAFL on the weekend. Gary Ablett's return remains unclear, but him and David Swallow could return after the bye. That light at the of the tunnel, suddenly not too far away, once again.

SUNS on right path despite another loss

53-point margins don't appear particularly pretty on paper, but if we delve further into the game it's not difficult to understand why Eade is confident his side is heading down the right route. For starters, Gold Coast entered the main interval only two goals down. Some media analysts opined that the opening half was as good as the SUNS had played all year. That comment is up for debate, but against quality opposition, Gold Coast rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty. Wet, miserable, stereotypical Tasmania conditions supported a blue collar style of football. Think Mitch Hallahan. Think Michael Rischitelli. Think Danny Stanley. Grunt over polish. Unfortunately an absence of experience and leadership across all sections of the ground made it difficult to arrest a major swing in momentum that saw Alistair Clarkson's team of Rolls Royce's kick nine unanswered goals in the middle section of the game to open up an unassailable lead. People speak glowingly about Geelong’s era of supremacy down at Kardinia Park. Hawthorn’s dominance in the Apple Isle should draw more attention than it does. They have now won 20 of their last 21 at Aurora Stadium. An imposing record. So that must be taken into account when you put on your reading glasses and go back over the first half effort against the Hawks. Blue skies on the horizon? No doubt. Kids developing in the right manner? Definitely. Kolodjashnij, Saad, Miller all contributed again and against first-class opposition.

Rocket masterstroke sees Lynch get the job done at both ends

If you take a step back and look at the opening two months of 2015 from an individual perspective, most players would have envisaged a more productive start to the season. One of them would be Tom Lynch. He had battled to get continuity into his game this season and after coming off a 47-goal season last year that announced himself as one of the best young key forwards in the game, expectations have well and truly risen. Niggling injuries have undoubtedly impacted his ability to train and cover ground. But despite this frustration, his effort and attitude has been faultless. On the weekend, he spent the entire game at one end of the ground. A rarity in today's game, but given the vicious wind blowing to one end, a shrewd coaching manoveur by one of the best tactical minds in the game. Lynch didn't tally numbers that leap off the page and make fantasy fans hearts flutter, but he was effective both in attack and in defence. Especially down back where he helped stifle the impact of Roughead. With Dixon being well held by Lake and co, the move arguably came at a scoring cost but it did showcase Lynch's effectiveness and value at both ends. Almost reminiscent of Roughead, who is the most versatile man in the land.