The 26-year-old has been a revelation for the GC SUNS since arriving on the tourist strip via free-agency last year, with his steadying influence across half-back adding much-needed depth and experience into the side’s revamped defensive structures.
While the Dockers will be familiar with Broughton’s style , the GC SUNS recruit says he isn’t expecting too much extra attention from his former team mates, telling goldcoastfc.com.au his preparation has been no different to any other match this season.
“I left on pretty good terms with Fremantle, and still talk to a lot of the boys, so I’m not expecting to receive any extra physical attention this Saturday night.”
Broughton is expecting to get the tough defensive assignment on public nuisance Hayden Ballantyne from the opening bounce.
“They’ve got a number of great small-forwards in Hayden (Ballantyne), Stephen (Hill) and Michael Walters, but I reckon I’ll end up playing on Hayden for most of the game.”
“It’ll be a great contest – we’re good friends away from the field, but I’ll certainly be looking to get one over him this Saturday night.”
Docker’s senior coach Ross Lyon will be arriving to the Queensland hotspot with all sorts of headaches, with clearance winner Nathan Fyfe (suspension) and Kepler Bradley (season-ending surgery) adding to the growing list of absentees for the Docker’s who will also be without skipper Matthew Pavlich and Aaron Sandlilands due to injury.
Broughton conceded the GC SUNS were in prime position to knock off the wounded top-4 contenders.
“Nathan (Fyfe) will be a massive loss for Fremantle; he provides so much run through the middle of the ground and is probably their best clearance player so it definitely leaves a massive hole.”
“If we start strong against them, and make them really uncomfortable on our home turf, then I can’t see why we couldn’t build on our convincing win last week and leave Metricon Stadium with the four points.”
