News 2016 AFL Season
- Thread starter princy_99
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Of that inaugural 22 the only players I'd like back are Bock, Harley and Dicko. Reckon we are a 12 player better side now with our current best 22.5 years on and so much has changed for the Suns and in the landscape of the AFL. This game was of course the great Chris Judd's 200th and the Gold Coast's first. Historically, I think this will be the image that fans will like to remember from the game:
It's interesting to look back and see what has happened to certain players who were/weren't picked in the inaugural Gold Coast 22. Here is the team:
FB: Brown, Bock, Tape
HB: Harbrow, Hunt, Krakouer
C: McKenzie, Harris, Rischitelli
HF: Stanley, Dixon, Prestia
FF: Brennan, Smith, Matera
Fol: Fraser, Swallow, Ablett
IC: Lock, Magin, Bennell
Sub: Toy
Just 9 players remain from that first 22 and they are in bold above. I'll quickly go through a few of the more important players still at the club. Let's start with the great man himself (29 Sep 2010-27 Jan 2016):
Not a huge amount of change in Gaz. Probably just a little bit more facial hair and a tan. It's no secret that Gary lived up to the hype (and money) and he proved that in 2013 by becoming the Gold Coast's first Brownlow Medalist. Now the prized possession that was the number 1 pick - David Swallow (25 Mar 2011-2 Mar 2016):
Longer hair and perhaps slightly bigger guns but not a huge difference for the already chiseled David Swallow. Has he lived up to the hype? That really depends on your interpretation. A more defensively-minded midfielder is likely to get less recognition but that didn't stop Dave from going in hard every week and doing the dirty work. His efforts were rewarded with the 2014 club B&F but, overall, injuries have plagued his short career to date. Another top 10 pick from the '10 draft class was Dion Prestia. Here he is (30 Jul 2011-3 Jan 2016):
Affectionately known as the 'Human Meatball' early in his career, Prestia was said to have been carrying a bit of extra weight early in his career but is clearly in top shape these days. He has twice finished in the top 3 of the club's best and fairest and is one of the most consistent midfielders at the club. He is an instant selection each week (when healthy) and looks like a steal at pick 9 when revisiting the 2010 draft.
Interestingly, the club's current pillars at either end of the ground in Lynch and May were not selected in the inaugural team. Steven May, who was drafted as a forward, lined up for the Suns' NEAFL team that day and kicked two goals against Mount Gravatt. Three weeks later, Tom Lynch debuted for the NEAFL team and had a quiet game against Labrador. Both were tried as forwards early in their careers but neither really thrived early on (30 Jul 2011):
Steven May has turned into one of the most polished key defenders in the league. Despite often playing from behind, he uses his strength and agility to beat his opponents and is probably the most prolific spoiler of the ball since Mal Michael. Here is May beating current Coleman Medalist Josh Kennedy to the ball last year (1 Aug 2015):
Tom Lynch arrived on the AFL scene in 2015 and has become one of the most exciting forwards in the league. His strong overhead marking, agility and jumping ability makes him a nightmare for defenders. Back-to-back leading goalkicker awards at the club reaffirms Lynch's position as the most important forward at the club. Here he is beating the current All-Australian CHB Michael Hurley and Jake Carlisle last year (22 Aug 2015):
The AFL itself has also changed quite a bit in the last 5 years. The top 4 in 2010 consisted of Collingwood, Geelong, St Kilda and the Bulldogs. Just one of those team managed to make the finals in 2015 and the Bulldogs had to do it the hard way by returning to the lower section of the ladder for several years. You also had a Carlton team that many thought were on the verge of something special (or at least top 4) but we know what happened there. West Coast made the jump from last to second over that 5 year period and Hawthorn only just scraped into the finals in 2010.
The league is cyclical, we know that, but if you don't make the right choices then you'll find yourself in a position like the Demons where you are starting a second rebuild in a matter of 5 years. Can't wait to see what 2016 brings!
Really enjoying it!! Definitely looked fatter and didn't seem to cover the ground as well as he did when playing up here
LynchysMob
Club Legend
- Nov 19, 2015
- 2,317
- 4,056
- AFL Club
- Gold Coast
Alfred_
Norm Smith Medallist
- Oct 16, 2015
- 7,111
- 15,835
- AFL Club
- Port Adelaide
- Banned
- #230
Really enjoying it!! Definitely looked fatter and didn't seem to cover the ground as well as he did when playing up here
Fatter? He said himself he's only ever done a max of 40% of any preseason with the suns yet did 90% of ours.
He looks bigger yes but that aint fat.
Dicko can play. That has not been the question.
If he gets his off-field head right (more chance of that at another club) and stays on the field, will be worth it for Port.
Key forwards that you can build a forward line around are harder to find than a gun midfielder.
But his question marks on and off the field and all the water/wine that had flowed under his bridge meant that it was not going to work at the Suns. Hope it does work out at Port (please will someone other than Hawthorn or Sydney win the effing thing).
Sometimes players need to change clubs to sort themselves out. The trade was more than fair for the Suns given the question marks. I for one am not bitter and I am actually looking forward to seeing him play well (but either miss the Suns game with a bad ankle or get shut down by Maysie or Rory).
Anyway, all will be revealed about his fitness or lack thereof soon enough.
If he gets his off-field head right (more chance of that at another club) and stays on the field, will be worth it for Port.
Key forwards that you can build a forward line around are harder to find than a gun midfielder.
But his question marks on and off the field and all the water/wine that had flowed under his bridge meant that it was not going to work at the Suns. Hope it does work out at Port (please will someone other than Hawthorn or Sydney win the effing thing).
Sometimes players need to change clubs to sort themselves out. The trade was more than fair for the Suns given the question marks. I for one am not bitter and I am actually looking forward to seeing him play well (but either miss the Suns game with a bad ankle or get shut down by Maysie or Rory).
Anyway, all will be revealed about his fitness or lack thereof soon enough.
Building a new Harley.
Sounds like Freo wernt to impressed with his fitness
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/afl/a/31078378/how-freo-remodelled-harley-bennell/
Sounds like Freo wernt to impressed with his fitness
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/afl/a/31078378/how-freo-remodelled-harley-bennell/
I wouldn't be worrying about his behaviour i would be worrying about his ankle.
Experimental
Norm Smith Medallist
Both are equally as worrying IMO
Experimental
Norm Smith Medallist
I believe so. If only we could make money off 1500 fans every week
I'm more disappointed that we missed the opportunity to have Stevie J as an assistant coach, that's the primary reason GWS were interested in him. At least we re-united Gaz and Max Rooke.
Experimental
Norm Smith Medallist
Could you imagine how much of an impact SJ would have had this year in our best 22? And even better, if he were to retire as an assistant coach for the Suns, we'd still get to keep his expertise and footy nous to pass onto our developing forwards.
Absolutely baffling that we seemingly weren't interested at all, even after Gaz stating publicly that he wanted him at the club.
Absolutely baffling that we seemingly weren't interested at all, even after Gaz stating publicly that he wanted him at the club.
GcSunsfan
Norm Smith Medallist
- Feb 17, 2013
- 5,644
- 8,186
- AFL Club
- Gold Coast
The Stevie j show at Metricon Is now finished for the day haha.
I didn't know GWS had Nick Maxwell helping out there young Backman.
Dose anyone know if Dermott Brereton still helps out there forwards ?.
We need someone to come and help out our forward badly like a Dunstall or Barry Hall
I didn't know GWS had Nick Maxwell helping out there young Backman.
Dose anyone know if Dermott Brereton still helps out there forwards ?. We need someone to come and help out our forward badly like a Dunstall or Barry Hall
Experimental
Norm Smith Medallist
Big J Brown plz
GcSunsfan
Norm Smith Medallist
- Feb 17, 2013
- 5,644
- 8,186
- AFL Club
- Gold Coast
Still works for Brisbane and he would never help out the Suns.
I think Barry Hall would be great and still close with rocket from the Bulldog days
saw warrick capper on the prowl with a couple old birds in broady the other week. might be looking for some extra cash?
If Maysie got three weeks for a great bump on Rockliff last year, Cameron should get at least 4 for a dirty high shot on young Mathieson from Brisbane that has apparently fractured a cheekbone. Will be interesting to see how the AFL tribunal deems this one.
Experimental
Norm Smith Medallist
I was thinking this too. If May's hit was worth 3, then so is Cameron's.
So Essendon didnt look great to say the least in their final hit out against the weagles. Over 100 points. I dont know how many they had out of their 'best 22' but not a good preparation for round 1 against us. Feeling slightly more optimistic about our chances.
- Aug 6, 2013
- 3,682
- 6,420
I'm throwing it out there, we smash the Dons and will be top of the ladder on percentage end of Rd1!
LynchysMob
Club Legend
- Nov 19, 2015
- 2,317
- 4,056
- AFL Club
- Gold Coast
Yeah for sure. Happened right in front of me and the crack from it was bloody heavy. Noise was even easier to hear because of the tiny crowd. Huge, dirty hit. Cameron knew straight away he'd ****ed up.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
People are forgetting that May's original sentence was 3 down to 2. He challenged the decision, failed, and was given 3 weeks.
Similar threads
