It is no secret former Sydney premiership star Nick Malceski has had an enormous impact on the playing list at the GC SUNS. Last year’s All-Australian rebounding defender brought a wealth of experience to Metricon Stadium when he accepted a trade at the end of last season.
 
But as defensive coach Dean Solomon told SUNS TV in his assessment of his line group, Malceski’s ability to direct and educate his fellow defenders has been exceptional.
 
With a handful of young rebounding defenders parking their cars in Carrara, namely Trent McKenzie, Sean Lemmens, Kade Kolodjashnij, Josh Glenn and Adam Saad, the young crop has the opportunity to sponge information from the former Swan.
 
Despite suffering a setback in early January, Solomon was confident Steven May would be fit and firing ahead of round one against Melbourne at the MCG. The 22-year-old emerged as one of the game’s best young key defenders last season and in spite of undergoing minor knee surgery last month, Solomon indicated the powerful full back would feature in the NAB Challenge series.
 
Due to list reductions at the end of last season, the SUNS’ primary list was culled from 40 to 38 players. Greg Broughton fell victim to this concession, but was re-rookied in December and has crafted a strong pre-season. Solomon revealed the former Docker had set himself for a big season after being faced with his football mortality at the end of his last campaign.
 
Both Kolodjashnij and Lemmens are pushing to build on impressive debut seasons with the pair far from content with their opening taste of league football. Solomon predicted the duo would spend some time on a wing in 2015, but would continue to play in a similar role to last season. Malceski’s arrival has benefited both players greatly and could prove to be instrumental in their development.

Dean Solomon's insight into the state of his line group:

Nick Malceski

“Yeah looks he’s been sensational. Obviously he’s got a lot of experience at the Sydney footy club, since coming here he’s really given himself to the group, in particularly the defensive group and really helped basically coach a lot of individuals within our group. His experience has been sensational, his leadership skills are brilliant, the way he talks – everyone listens, so that’s the reason why we handpicked him to come to the Gold Coast SUNS. On-field its limited what I can do in the coaches box, he just brings that experience, he knows exactly what the game plan is and then he demands it on the field and that’s really important."

Kade Kolodjashnij

“Both himself and Sean Lemmens have had very good second pre-seasons. It’s a massive workload AFL after your first year, sometimes you can come back a little bit doughy but those two have come back ready to go and they’ve both spent a fair bit of time on the wing throughout the pre-season. In season they’ll spend a short amount of time there, but I think the majority of time will be down back. So there both prepared really well for a great second year.”

Trent McKenzie/ Steve May / Rory Thompson

“They’re all just about ready to go. Trent’s obviously played today (Wednesday’s match simulation session) and 'Maysie' and Rory are very close to coming back. (May and Thompson have been) in and out of rehab a little bit but nothing really too heavy there. So get some continuity going into round one for those guys, maybe a game or two throughout NAB, but they’ll be right to go by round one.”

Greg Broughton

“He’s come back and really dug into the pre-season and really got himself in good shape. He’s done something like 97 per cent of the pre season so he’s really fit. He was very solid again today, again like Nick Malceski he’s experience has been great amongst the group. He’s set himself for a big year after what happened last year, he’s playing on edge and training on edge and that’s what you want from a defender.”

Adam Saad & Josh Glenn

“They’re both up and about, they’re giving it everything they can, they’re leaving it all out on the park which is putting some pressure on our players who have been here for a couple of years. Look there’s going to be opportunities and if they’re right to go and continue to do everything right they can potentially get their chance to play senior football and that’s what they’re here to do. Their attitude has been fantastic, they’re both students of the game, they want to learn and that’s really important. They’ve both got a lot of upside, they’ve got a lot to learn, but they’re on the right path.”

Sean Lemmens

“(Lemmens has benefited from Malceski’s tutelage) A huge amount. Nick’s given himself to a lot of players and Sean is one of those players. Very similar types, rebounding half back but also have the ability to really defend. Sean’s going to really benefit from Nick being here but Sean’s also on his own path, he’s pretty driven, he’s a really driven man and he’s really impressed this pre-season. He’s put himself in good shape and potentially looking for a really good second season from Sean.”

Jack Leslie/ Seb Tape/ Clay Cameron

“Yeah all those guys, they have to be really hungry and that’s the attitude they’ve come with this pre-season. They’ve sort of been in and out of the side over the last couple of years or through injuries. 'Sebby' obviously with a reco and hamstring tendonitis, so he’s really hungry to get back into the side and cement his spot as are the other two. Their attitudes have been spot on.”

Henry Schade

“Yeah look it’s (his pre-season) been really strong, in particularly the last month. Henry doesn’t hide the fact he’s quite disappointed that he hasn’t played senior footy yet and that grits on him and drives him which is great I think. That makes him really hungry to try and succeed and try and play in the senior side. He knows he’s still got a little bit of improvement in his game but he’s working really hardly and he’s going to give himself every opportunity.”