The Gold Coast SUNS opened their 2015 account with a hard fought win over Geelong at Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville on Sunday afternoon. Take a look at the media's reaction across the country following Rodney Eade's first game in charge.
Suns ruck steps up
The Courier Mail
Andrew Hamilton
Zac Smith answered new coach Rodney Eade’s biggest question in the SUNS’ eight-point victory against Geelong in Townsville yesterday.
The SUNS have Smith, Tom Nicholls and Daniel Gorringe – who played on a wing yesterday – all vying to lead the ruck division. Then there is new mature age recruit Keegan Brooksby.
Eade admitted he was not sure who was in front until now.
Smith played 10 games last year after returning from a knee reconstruction and is now likely to keep the job for the premiership opener.
Clark comeback bright spot for Cats in loss to Suns
The Age
Matt Murnane
Another might be the Gold Coast. If they become that - an expansion team making the finals for the first time in their history and, who knows, even challenging for the flag – then the NAB Challenge for their supporters is about finding some of the hallmarks of the team they hope to become.
From a game plan perspective, the Suns showed they want to do what all Eade teams have done – back themselves, take the game on, attack.
But it has to be underpinned by defence. And when Sunday's match was at its most revealing from a tactical point of view, it was in the second quarter when the Suns squeezed Geelong inside their forward half and never let them out, tackling and hassling them all the way.
Suns show Eade fighting spirit
The Australian
AAP
Pre-season form is never the most reliable guide but the Gold Coast Suns have received an early tick in their quest to crack the AFL finals for the first time.
With skipper Gary Ablett among a high-profile list of exclusions, a second-string Suns side held on for an encouraging eight-point victory over Geelong at Townsville’s Tony Ireland Stadium yesterday.
Faces old and new starred with Michael Rischitelli, Harley Bennell, Zac Smith and recruit Mitch Hallahan among the best for Gold Coast in the 0.10.19 (79) to 1.9.8 (71) win.
Suns hold off Cats' charge in Townsville
afl.com.au
Michael Whiting
The Rodney Eade era has started in style for Gold Coast as the SUNS edged out Geelong by eight points in a thrilling NAB Challenge match in Townsville.
It may be only pre-season but this was a hot contest, matched only by the 32 degree heat, and told us a bit about both teams ahead of the premiership season.
Missing a glut of talent including captain Gary Ablett, Dion Prestia, Jaeger O'Meara, Steven May, Jack Martin, Rory Thompson and Charlie Dixon, the Suns showed they have enough depth to improve this year.
