The gulf in midfield personnel will again be a major area of concern for Rodney Eade and the Gold Coast SUNS when Greater Western Sydney travel to Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
After making up ground in recent weeks, courtesy of the return of star duo Gary Ablett and David Swallow, the SUNS engine room suffered another blow during the week with reigning club champion, Swallow, re-aggravating his posterior cruciate ligament and having his season ended.
The Giants emergence this season has coincided with the rise of their young onball brigade who individually and collectively have entered unchartered territory this year. Although he won’t play on Saturday, Dylan Shiel has been the feather in their cap this season, along with Adam Treloar, Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Lachie Whitfield and seasoned pair Callan Ward and Ryan Griffen.
Greater Western Sydney’s calling card is their ability to spread and cut opposition sides apart between the arcs. With Gold Coast falling desperately short in this area this year, Eade is wary of nullifying the Giants work around the stoppages.
“That’s our area of concern, as far as quality of players that are out and that’s their strength,” Eade told reporters at Metricon Stadium on Friday morning.
“It’s an interesting one with obviously the run. We struggled a bit towards the end last week. As its proven now David Swallow, probably should have been subbed out and we had a couple of injuries in that area.
VIDEO: Rodney Eade discusses Gold Coast's focus ahead of the game against GWS
“I think even though we struggled to run a bit last week at the end, our centre square work and stoppage work was pretty good. I think we’ve got to win that to give our forwards a chance.”
Inaugural signing Zac Smith has finally had his sustained period of excellence rewarded with another opportunity at senior level.
The ruckman has not played since the SUNS' 15-goal loss to West Coast in round seven, but after six weeks of dominance in the NEAFL, he has been recalled, with Eade admitting his form was irresistible.
“His form has been sensational. You actually have to reward players who are in some form,” Eade said.
“Most of the players that are available are tall players, there wasn’t many as a midfield type or a running type that could actually play instead of him.
“But his form has been that good that we just need to play him.”
