Gold Coast SUNS midfielder Mitch Hallahan has emphatically denied the club is deprived of strong leadership despite the young age profile of the list at Metricon Stadium and a series of disciplinary issues.
 
In light of recent off-field controversies, coupled with poor on-field form this season, the blowtorch has been put on the direction of the game’s 17th franchise, with some sections of the media questioning the club’s on-field leadership.
 
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, former Hawk Hallahan was resolute in his belief that Gold Coast isn’t absent of firm guidance and direction, and despite their youthfulness, the young leaders have learned off wiser heads in years gone by.
 
“We are a young group. I don’t think there is a lack of leadership,” Hallahan told reporters at a press conference at Metricon Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
 
“We have young guys amongst our leadership group, but they’ve been in the system four or five years now. They’ve been around older guys, they’ve learned off older guys.”
 
Hallahan praised his captain Gary Ablett, who has come under scrutiny for his leadership or apparent lack thereof during his absence from the game.
 
“We’ve got a wonderful captain in Gary Ablett. [Michael] Rischitelli’s carried that load for the last few weeks now since Gary hasn’t been on the field,” Hallahan said.
 
“I think that just shows the support the leadership group have off the rest of the rest if the playing group.
 
“We all lead in different capacities, but I wouldn’t say there’s a lack of leadership within the group.”