The going down of key ruckman Tom Nicholls to a serious knee injury could spell the return of another Gold Coast big man.
It’s not often a player breaks into a side that has notched three consecutive wins on the premiership ladderboard, but Zac Smith is a strong chance to push for a senior selection after declaring himself “ready to play” against St Kilda this Sunday.
There is also talk of coach Guy McKenna managing his gun draftees Kade Kolodjashnij and Sean Lemmens, however, if passed fit, both young guns are likely to take their places against the Saints.
goldcoastfc.com.au explores five players in the mix for senior selection this week.
#2 Zac Smith
With Tom Nicholls sidelined indefinitely, the 205-cm Smith has rocketed into the frame for senior selection and has the backing of GC SUNS Assistant Coach, Matthew Primus. It would be a bold move bringing the ruckman straight back into the seniors, however Smith’s inclusion would provide a huge boost for team balance allowing Thompson, Day and Dixon to start in their natural positions.
What they said…
“Zac is confident that he is ready to go and Stephen Schwerdt (High Performance Manager) echoes his thoughts.”
- GC SUNS Coach, Guy McKenna
#6 Alex Sexton
Sexton was impressive in his return from injury to register 19 possessions, 10 tackles, six clearances, eight inside 50s and two goals against Aspley.
What they said…
“He has got qualities to play AFL football, and he was probably close up until he sustained a calf strain. He plays at great speed and looks terrific when he gets the ball in hand. He is a guy that if he gets consistency he will be one to watch.”
- GC SUNS Reserves Coach, Josh Fraser
#21 Jeremy Taylor
Four consecutive games in the NEAFL with 20+ disposals keeps Taylor firmly in the mix for senior selection. Against Aspley, the medium-sized defender had 25 possessions and eight marks to push his case for an opportunity to add to his 10 career AFL games.
What they said…
“There are areas of his game that needs work, but in terms of what we had he was in our best 3 or 4 last game. Certainly when he plays the thing we love is that he just gives great effort. You always know that he is going to be trying his guts out.”
- GC SUNS Reserves Coach, Josh Fraser
#29 Tom Murphy
Murphy was the travelling emergency to Etihad Stadium in round 7, showing that he’s on the cusp of senior selection after a very consistent start to 2014 in the reserves. The key defender has been named in the team’s best every game he’s played in so far and will be ready if/when his name is called for senior duty.
What they said…
“He has been super. He’s been probably our most consistent, but Murph given his experience he goes back and tries to help the younger guys. His form is good enough to put his hand up to play senior footy, but it’s all the other bits and pieces that we get on top of that which is great.”
- GC SUNS Reserves Coach, Josh Fraser
#44 Nathan Bock
Bock has strung together a couple of quality games in the NEAFL, collecting 23 disposals, five marks and a team-high six rebound 50’s against Aspley in his most recent outing.
What they said…
“Certainly the way he is playing has been encouraging, probably settled more in the backline last week. Provided some real run and dash and carry and kicked a goal. For him the test is going to be just to back up and build his footy fitness. He was probably our best player this week.”
- GC SUNS Reserves Coach, Josh Fraser
After 3 games in the AFL starting as the sub, Jack Hutchins returned to the NEAFL last week and was named among the best with 18 disposals to his name while Jackson Allen kicked a couple of goals to go with his 17 disposals.
Matthew Warnock and Seb Tape were solid in the back half for the NEAFL SUNS and Timmy Sumner tried hard all afternoon in his return to the reserves.
