First stage of SUNS revival ticked off

On Saturday night, the Gold Coast SUNS began to put the first pieces of the jigsaw puzzle back together. One win - regardless of how convincing it was - doesn’t make up for the disappointing first month of 2015. But, it does re-energise Metricon Stadium and demonstrate how effort can produce four quarters of quality football. Despite missing a host of established stars in Gary Ablett, David Swallow, Nick Malceski and Jaeger O’Meara, Rodney Eade’s men dominated the Brisbane Lions in some of the key areas of the game. Gold Coast won the contested ball (+19), tackles (+30) and more importantly converted in front of the sticks with 18.10. The early season losses may eventually come back to bite, but for now, clinical performances like QClash 9 could well be the catalyst for an early season revival. The test will be in six days time when the Adelaide Crows travel to Carrara. Off a six-day break and a bruising Showdown defeat, Phil Walsh’s side are coming at a good time for the SUNS.

Dixon produces a performance for the ages in QClash 

Charlie Dixon’s QClash performance was one the finest performances in the Gold Coast SUNS’ short history. From the opening bounce, the spearhead was ferocious in his attack of the ball, raising the bar for effort and intensity and setting an example for his teammates. Dixon finished the game with 6.2 from 19 possessions, including a team-high 15 contested possessions and seven marks to win the coveted Marcus Ashcroft medal for best afield. Although his impact can’t purely be measured in terms of goals and touches. Rather, the big, bustling spearhead was the Gold Coast SUNS energy gauge. With Dixon beginning like a house on fire, his effort and appetite for the contest was infectious. His partnership with Tom Lynch was equally as potent with the pair combining for nine goals to kick half the SUNS score. Forever the leading light, Lynch’s performance as the supporting act didn’t go unnoticed. His sacrificial leads and guidance in attack provided a bevy of scoring opportunities for Dixon and co.

May hit could draw Match Review Panel scrutiny

With Gary Ablett watching on from the stands, Brisbane Lions captain Tom Rockliff soon joined him on the sidelines after an earth-shaking hip and shoulder from Steven May. Only minutes into the ninth edition of the QClash, Rockliff and May were running back towards an empty Brisbane goal with the ball out in front of the pair. May took Rockliff out of the contest and out of the game in a clinical manner that might draw the Match Review Panel’s ire given the fact Rockliff had to be carried from the ground on a stretcher. With no malicious intent apparent and a crisp hit with the ball in the area, the SUNS key defender shouldn’t have a case to answer for. Football experts and analysts have already weighed into the argument and praised the technique  of the bump. Time will tell how the game’s judiciary view the incident. But after last year’s tribunal hearing, we could see #FreeMaysie part II.

Could there be a Rising Star nomination this week for sizzling Saad?

Rookie revelation Adam Saad continued his week-to-week upward trajectory on the weekend with his most impressive performance to date. Since bursting onto the scene during the NAB Challenge series, we’ve become accustomed to seeing the lightly-built Saad tear out of defensive 50 with the ball tucked under his arm. Whilst he may not possess the elegance of an Andrew McLeod gliding out of the back half – not many do – whenever he takes the game on in the most dangerous part of the ground, a buzz sweeps through the ground like a crescendo. In the most complete performance in his burgeoning career, Saad put his hand up for a rising star nomination on the back of collecting a career-high 26 possessions at a scintillating disposal efficiency of 80.8 per cent. With nine running bounces and 554 metres gained, Saad accumulated the 10th highest yardage of the round across the entire competition. Five games into a career, and one that looked for a while like it would never come to fruition, Saad belongs at this level. His dash, dare and decision making are of the highest level and will only get better with experience and with better performances around him. The SUNS thrive off his X-Factor and ability to cut a swathe through opposition sides in transition.

Bennell stands up under the heat of the blowtorch

If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen. It’s safe to say that Harley Bennell, when the blowtorch burnt brightest, produced a performance of true grit. There was no one under the pump more than the West Australian heading into Saturday night’s crucial QClash and he delivered in spades. The media had spent the week questioning whether or not we would ever see Bennell utilise all of his gifts and produce on his potential. One game won’t mute his critics, but it will turn down the volume. Like Dixon, Bennell was instrumental in pulling the SUNS out of their early season slumber. He did his damage on the outside, providing a plethora of scoring opportunities with his 31 disposals, six inside 50s, three goal assists and two goals. The class and dash was so profound he ranked 5th in the competition for score involvements in round five with 12. Given his enormous potential and ability to change the course of a game in the blink of an eye, Bennell’s critics cry far louder than others. If he can produce more four-quarter efforts like Saturday night, they will become quieter and quieter.

Debutants produce on big stage

Rodney Eade unveiled two debutants against Brisbane in key defender Henry Schade and mature-aged rookie Josh Glenn. It had taken Schade four pre-seasons and more than three seasons to earn a maiden appearance and he produced a dependable performance that demonstrated he has a future at AFL level. As the game wore on, the Tasmanian grew in confidence from contest-to-contest, continually rolling up to cut off opposition forays forward – finishing with 10 spoils on debut. Glenn made an impact almost immediately, booting the opening goal of the game and getting his hands on the ball early. The Central Districts product finished the game with an impressive 21 disposals and ran out the game particularly well. Glenn’s precise left-foot was damaging in transition and he did more than enough to suggest he might be another one of Scott Clayton’s recruiting success stories.