After six consecutive weeks of polling top votes in the GC SUNS Fans Player of the Year award, Gary Ablett will most likely be toppled from his mantle after a quiet game by his standards in the 45-point win over the Western Bulldogs.
The captain picked up 24 disposals (17 contested) with a team-high seven clearances and six inside 50s. While Ablett will still come under consideration for votes, it was the younger SUNS that stood up in the victory.
Key forwards Charlie Dixon and Tom Lynch both booted four goals for the Gold Coast, with the latter also picking up two goal assists. Brandon Matera also provided plenty of spark with three goals to go with his 17 possessions.
Jarrod Harbrow was superb across the back half with 26 possessions, six marks and eight tackles and he received plenty of support in defence from Matt Shaw who picked up 23 touches, seven marks and a goal in what was arguably his best performance of 2014.
Dion Prestia had the ball on the string for the SUNS with a game-high 35 disposals while Kade Kolodjashnij surely will be even closer to a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination with a performance that included 21 possessions and plenty of rebound from defence.
Who was your best in Round 9? Vote now
In round 9, Gary Ablett was a clear leader in the GC SUNS Fans Player of the Year. The captain tops the leaderboard with 219 votes, ahead of David Swallow (119 votes) and Tom Lynch (47 votes).
Round 9 v St Kilda
- Gary Ablett – 38 votes
- Jaeger O’Meara – 11 votes
- Brandon Matera – 10 votes
Overall Leaderboard after Round 9
- Gary Ablett – 219 votes
- David Swallow – 119 votes
- Tom Lynch – 47 votes
