With a shortage of key forwards available for round one, Gold Coast SUNS coaching staff trialled a couple of different attacking setups on Friday night. One player who found himself in unfamiliar territory was Alex Sexton.
The 21-year-old has predominantly played as a midfielder during his short career at Metricon Stadium, but with the SUNS turning an eye to a round one outfit without spearheads Tom Lynch and Charlie Dixon, Sexton played as a permanent forward against the Lions.
Despite the fact Sexton has played his best football through the middle of the ground and was one of the SUNS’ best players against Geelong in the opening NAB Challenge fixture, he is more than content playing wherever he is required.
“That’s a role (defensive forward) I’ve sort of taken on board the last few weeks. I think Rocket’s come up to me and said we need some pressure forwards,” Sexton told SUNS TV following Gold Coast’s draw with Brisbane.
“If that’s a role that I have to play, that’s a role that I’ll have to play. If I have to play back, if I have to play wing or mid I’ll just play my role for the team.
VIDEO: Sexton breaks the goal drought from long range against Brisbane
“It was a bit different tonight playing forward, I was the tallest forward at some stage.”
First-year players Touk Miller and Jarrod Garlett played in all three NAB Challenge matches, with their harassment of the ball carrier inside attack a standout of their performances.
Sexton identified a need for the SUNS' small forwards to be able to create scoring opportunities via pressure acts and an appetite for being hard to play against.
“They’re explosive players, us three and [Brandon] Matera as well, that’s what we strive our game on – goals and goal assists they all come from pressure,” Sexton said.
“If you want to be hard to play against and if you want to be in round one that’s how you’ve got to play and Rocket’s been strict on that. That’s how we’ve got to play.
“Very exciting to see our young forwards and explosive forwards pressuring tonight.”
