Gary Ablett can sense something special is brewing in his adopted home city.
Although the season is still young, Gold Coast is firmly entrenched in the top eight with a winning record of 4-2, and on a legitimate path to finals contention.
Yes, the GC SUNS have speared past lesser lights Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney in previous two rounds, but they also defeated Richmond and Brisbane in emphatic fashion; two teams that finished ahead of them on the ladder last season.
In his exclusive column with the Gold Coast Bulletin, the two-time Brownlow medallist believes the fourth-year SUNS are ready to stamp their authority against the competition’s best.
“There’s a confidence that comes from discipline and training,” Ablett wrote.
“And after four years together – including going through some very tough times – we believe we can match it with anyone, anywhere.”
Murmurs of a third Brownlow continue to beckon for the Gold Coast champion after his most recent best-on-ground performance in the side’s 40-point win over the Giants, where he most likely polled the maximum three ‘Charlie’ votes on offer.
Most pleasingly for ‘Gaz’, though, would be the improvment of his midfield colleagues in Dion Prestia, David Swallow and 2013 Rising Star winner Jaeger O’Meara, who continue to match it with the best in the middle of the ground.
Together, the SUNS’ very own ‘Fab Four’ totalled 118 touches, with Prestia recording a game-high 32 disposals against GWS.
Most excitingly, Harley Bennell appears ready to return after a quality 24-disposal comeback performance in the NEAFL, bolstering Guy McKenna’s already super-impressive on-ball division.
Looking ahead, though, Gold Coast will be given a true test of character when it lines up against top- four hopeful North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium this Sunday.
Ablett says the playing group will need to improve if the SUNS are to post their first ever victory at Docklands, but is confident his team can rise to the challenge and strengthen their top-eight position.
“We still need to improve our polish but we did plenty of things right against GWS, to look forward to our game against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday,” he said.
“We’ve had some pretty big losses – some of these at Etihad – but we know if we stick to the game plan, execute our roles, we can match it with any side in the competition.
“North Melbourne were very good against Fremantle on Friday and this match is going to give us a good guide as to where we are at. Hopefully we can make it 5-2.”
