A youthful, inexperienced back six has weathered the worst of the storm during a tumultuous opening two months of the season. With Steven May returning from suspension last week and performing with aplomb, and Nick Malceski in line for a return to the seniors this weekend, support is beginning to filter back.
 
For a handful of weeks, with May suspended and Malceski and Rory Thompson injured, Henry Schade and Jack Leslie were asked to hold down the key posts. Whilst Kade Kolodjashnij, Jesse Lonergan, Adam Saad and Sean Lemmens tried to put the other pieces of the evolving red and yellow jigsaw puzzle together.
 
Being tossed into the deep end has its benefits in terms of development, but nurturing talent amongst wise old heads also has its bonuses. It is a luxury that can’t be taken for granted at Metricon Stadium and something that will be enjoyed even more thoroughly if Malceski does return this weekend.
 
“I think we’ve got the best of both worlds. They say pressure builds diamonds and I think we’re seeing that with ‘Schadey’ and ‘Seanny’ Lemmens,” SUNS ruckman Tom Nicholls told reporters on Tuesday at Metricon Stadium.
 
“They’re reaping the benefits of playing without that experience down back and having ‘Maysie’ and ‘Mal’ and those experienced players back in the side is going to help them as well with there coolness and calmness.”
 
In-form ruckman Nicholls identified May’s leadership and on-field direction as an enormous beneficiary for the SUNS who have been starved of leaders during the injury plague. The key defender dictated traffic in defence against the Hawks and restricted triple-premiership star, Jarryd Roughead, to 0.1 and next to no impact.
 
“Having 'Maysie' back was awesome, his leadership and voice back there really instils some confidence in you,” Nicholls said.
 
“He’s starting to give us that drive out of the backline as well which we’re still working on as well but its another to his game that he’s adding.”
 
Mature-aged rookie Keegan Brooksby debuted against Hawthorn on the weekend, supporting Nicholls in the ruck at times and impressing with his competitiveness around the contest.
 
The pair has combined on a handful of occasions in the NEAFL, but in their first hitout at AFL level, Nicholls explained that Brooksby’s team-first approach had left a strong first impression on his teammates.
 
“It was really good. He really earned spot there and I think he took his opportunity. He took a few good contested marks. He’s just a great team player so the boys loved playing with him that’s for sure,” Nicholls said.