Note: The following was submitted to upstart for publication. You can read the published article here.
As the first of the expansion teams, the progress of the Gold Coast Suns was always going to be an intriguing game of patience. Defeats were inevitably going to come regularly and lessons would be dealt in big losses. The excuses of being inexperienced and having smaller bodies are running out though. Having only six wins in their first two seasons, the Suns must be aiming to show something to their supporters by matching that figure this season. Coach Guy McKenna will be desperate to see some improvement from his core of youngsters, and the addition of draft gun Jaeger O’Meara to the squad looks to be a good one. However losing the talented Josh Caddy to Geelong and ruck prospect Tom Hickey to St Kilda may hold back improvement in the midfield.
While ladder position is still not very important to Gold Coast, as contention for the finals is still a fair way away, it is vital the Suns take care of business against Greater Western Sydney in rounds five and 23, and sneak some games off the lowly Western Bulldogs, Melbourne or Port Adelaide, to cement the Suns as an improving side.
It is clear that the captain, Gary Ablett remains Gold Coast’s key player. His unbelievable personal numbers over the last two years have confirmed Ablett’s superstar status. Ablett played so well last year that it was even questioned whether his brilliance is hindering his teammates because he simply dominates possession counts. McKenna may look to push Ablett to the forward line a little more in 2013 to compensate for the lack of firepower in the Suns forward line, and put some pressure on the midfield to step up without relying on the skipper. Key players such as Michael Rischetelli and Harley Bennell would look to take more control in that situation. Still the darling of fantasy teams, there is no reason to think Ablett can’t keep up his sensational form in 2013.
Both games against Greater Western Sydney Giants are massive for Gold Coast this season, particularly after it was the Suns who were the first to be defeated by the Giants in 2012. The round five clash between the two expansion sides appears to be the most important for both teams. Both sides play Port Adelaide before round five, and the Giants meet Melbourne, but it is likely the two teams will meet searching for their first win. Gold Coast needs to enforce its older brother status over the Giants with a win and get their season up and running.
As previously mentioned, at the end of the day the ladder position won’t matter too much to Gold Coast. Even so, they will be very keen to finish above Greater Western Sydney and possibly the Western Bulldogs or Melbourne. If they do finish 16th, which is their predicted finish, a minimum of five wins will still be expected. In the long term, the forward line needs bolstering, but with vice-captain Nathan Bock returning from injury the Suns should at least have a target. Impressive youngster Tom Lynch will be keen to keep showing improvement as will Sam Day. The Ablett-led midfield is full of promising young pieces, and fans will want to see good performances from future stars Bennell, David Swallow, Trent McKenzie and Zac Smith. With the addition of former Hawthorn defender Tom Murphy, the Gold Coast defense continues to be built of solid recycled players, with Matthew Warnock and Jarrod Harbrow working through there well. The key pieces of the Suns lineup is talented and promising, but more young players need to step up and join the core group and play consistent football, paving the way for a steady climb up the ladder in continuing years.
Gold Coast predicted finish: 16th.
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