Jen2310
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GOLD COAST SUNS
Coach: Damien Hardwick
Captain: Touk Millerand Jarrod WittsPLAYERCARDSTART11Touk Miller
- Age
- 28
- Ht
- 178cm
- Wt
- 84kg
- Pos.
- Mid
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 21.7
- 5star
- K
- 9.5
- 4star
- HB
- 12.3
- 5star
- M
- 3.7
- 4star
- T
- 5.4
- 5star
- CL
- 4.2
- 5star
- D
- 22.0
- 5star
- K
- 11.4
- 4star
- HB
- 10.6
- 5star
- M
- 2.9
- 3star
- T
- 4.8
- 5star
- CL
- 4.1
- 5star
- D
- 17.8
- 5star
- K
- 5.8
- 3star
- HB
- 12.0
- 5star
- M
- 3.0
- 3star
- T
- 3.8
- 5star
- CL
- 3.0
- 5star
PLAYERCARDENDPLAYERCARDSTART28Jarrod Witts
- Age
- 32
- Ht
- 209cm
- Wt
- 110kg
- Pos.
- Ruck
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 12.2
- 3star
- K
- 6.4
- 3star
- HB
- 5.8
- 4star
- CL
- 3.3
- 5star
- HO
- 31.8
- 5star
- D
- 10.8
- 3star
- K
- 5.9
- 2star
- HB
- 4.9
- 3star
- CL
- 3.4
- 4star
- HO
- 29.5
- 5star
- D
- 7.8
- 2star
- K
- 4.2
- 2star
- HB
- 3.6
- 3star
- CL
- 0.4
- 3star
- HO
- 8.0
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
What happened in 2023?
A season of expectation quickly fell flat for the Suns, who became the sideshow of the AFL late in the season after sacking coach Stuart Dewbefore embarking on an around-the-world pursuit of Damien Hardwick.PLAYERCARDSTARTStuart Dew
- Age
- 45
- Ht
- 183cm
- Wt
- 99kg
- Pos.
- M/F
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 13.1
- 3star
- K
- 9.1
- 4star
- HB
- 4.0
- 3star
- M
- 2.9
- 3star
- T
- 1.7
- 4star
No current season stats available
- D
- 12.2
- 3star
- K
- 9.0
- 4star
- HB
- 3.2
- 3star
- M
- 2.8
- 3star
- T
- 1.8
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
Under interim coach Steven Kingthey were once again in contention for finals late in the season, only to drop their final four games and finish on 10 wins for the campaign.PLAYERCARDSTARTSteven King
- Age
- 46
- Ht
- 201cm
- Wt
- 104kg
- Pos.
- Ruck
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 12.8
- 3star
- K
- 7.9
- 3star
- HB
- 4.9
- 4star
- CL
- 1.3
- 3star
- HO
- 16.8
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 11.8
- 3star
- K
- 6.4
- 3star
- HB
- 5.4
- 4star
- HO
- 8.8
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
Noah Andersonand Matt RowellPLAYERCARDSTART15Noah Anderson
- Age
- 23
- Ht
- 192cm
- Wt
- 88kg
- Pos.
- Mid
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 12.0
- 3star
- K
- 6.0
- 2star
- HB
- 6.0
- 4star
- M
- 2.0
- 2star
- T
- 0.0
- 1star
- CL
- 0.0
- 1star
- D
- 12.0
- 3star
- K
- 6.0
- 2star
- HB
- 6.0
- 3star
- M
- 2.0
- 2star
- T
- 0.0
- 1star
- CL
- 0.0
- 1star
- D
- 12.0
- 3star
- K
- 6.0
- 3star
- HB
- 6.0
- 4star
- M
- 2.0
- 3star
- T
- 0.0
- 1star
- CL
- 0.0
- 1star
PLAYERCARDENDenjoyed career-best seasons, while the Suns unearthed a star of the future in first-round pick Bailey Humphrey.PLAYERCARDSTART18Matt Rowell
- Age
- 23
- Ht
- 180cm
- Wt
- 82kg
- Pos.
- Mid
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 17.4
- 4star
- K
- 7.6
- 3star
- HB
- 9.8
- 5star
- M
- 0.8
- 1star
- T
- 5.2
- 5star
- CL
- 3.8
- 5star
- D
- 17.4
- 4star
- K
- 7.6
- 3star
- HB
- 9.8
- 5star
- M
- 0.8
- 1star
- T
- 5.2
- 5star
- CL
- 3.8
- 5star
- D
- 17.4
- 5star
- K
- 7.6
- 3star
- HB
- 9.8
- 5star
- M
- 0.8
- 1star
- T
- 5.2
- 5star
- CL
- 3.8
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
Jack Lukosiusfound his best position as a permanent key forward alongside Ben KingPLAYERCARDSTART13Jack Lukosius
- Age
- 24
- Ht
- 195cm
- Wt
- 91kg
- Pos.
- D/F
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 14.8
- 4star
- K
- 11.5
- 4star
- HB
- 3.3
- 3star
- M
- 3.4
- 3star
- T
- 1.8
- 4star
- MG
- 369.3
- 5star
- D
- 14.8
- 4star
- K
- 11.5
- 4star
- HB
- 3.3
- 2star
- M
- 3.4
- 3star
- T
- 1.8
- 3star
- MG
- 369.3
- 5star
- D
- 13.6
- 4star
- K
- 11.2
- 4star
- HB
- 2.4
- 3star
- M
- 4.2
- 4star
- T
- 2.2
- 4star
- MG
- 358.0
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND, who enjoyed a solid campaign in his return from a knee injury.PLAYERCARDSTART34Ben King
- Age
- 24
- Ht
- 202cm
- Wt
- 98kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 7.2
- 2star
- K
- 5.0
- 2star
- HB
- 2.2
- 2star
- M
- 3.5
- 4star
- T
- 0.5
- 3star
- G
- 1.3
- 5star
- D
- 7.5
- 2star
- K
- 5.6
- 2star
- HB
- 1.9
- 1star
- M
- 3.6
- 4star
- T
- 0.3
- 1star
- G
- 1.5
- 5star
- D
- 6.8
- 2star
- K
- 4.4
- 2star
- HB
- 2.4
- 3star
- M
- 3.2
- 4star
- T
- 0.2
- 3star
- G
- 1.0
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
Mac Andrew put his hand up as the third tall down back, while young midfielder Sam Flanders broke out in the second half of the season to add to the Suns’ engine room talent.
Where do they finish in 2024?
How quickly his playing group can adapt to Hardwick’s game plan could be the difference between finals or bust for the Suns in 2024.
It’s all positive coming out of pre-season so far but both players and coaching staff have been frank that it will take time to properly implement the new coach’s system.
The long-term outlook of the list improved substantially with the addition of four Suns Academy stars in the draft, however it may take time for them to make a proper impact at AFL level.
In Gold Coast’s favour is the age profile of its best players, the bulk of whom fall in the 24-29 range and are coming into their prime.
GOLD COAST BEST 23
FB: C. Budarick, S. Collins, M. Andrew
HB: L. Weller, C. Ballard, W. Powell
C: B. Ellis, N. Anderson, S. Flanders
HF: M. Rosas, J. Lukosius, B. Humphrey
FF: B. Ainswerth, B. King, J. Walter
F: J. Witts, M. Rowell, T. Miller
INT: N. Holman, D. Swallow, J. Rogers, J. Jeffrey, B. Fiorini (sub)
Biggest improver in 2024?
Malcolm Rosas Jr is the one. He has all the talent to be a top line small forward in the AFL but hasn’t been able to find consistency so far in his career.
He comes with all the tools Hardwick likes in his pressure small forwards and should be given every opportunity to flourish under the new coach.
If he can improve his tank – as he declared late last season was his goal – then 2024 could be the year we glimpse Rosas’ true potential.
X-factor
Bailey Humphrey had 26 touches and a goal in just his seventh AFL game against eventual grand finalists the Brisbane Lions.
He showed so much potential so early that the Suns felt obligated to give him midfield minutes, despite the staggering depth in the position already.
Humphrey returned for his first full pre-season and cut 20 seconds from his 2km PB, declaring an intent to play even more through the middle in 2024.
Natural progression into his second season would make him must-watch in 2024.
Coach status
Gold Coast got its man with a monster six-year deal tying Hardwick to the Suns for the foreseeable future.
There is plenty of expectation on the shoulders of the triple-premiership coach, but the Suns have gone all-in on Hardwick and for better or worse will be tied to him over the journey.
Who is in last year of contract?
Alex Davies, Alex Sexton, Ben AinsworthPLAYERCARDSTART6Alex Sexton
- Age
- 31
- Ht
- 186cm
- Wt
- 82kg
- Pos.
- D/F
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 12.4
- 3star
- K
- 8.3
- 3star
- HB
- 4.1
- 3star
- M
- 3.1
- 3star
- T
- 2.0
- 4star
- MG
- 316.2
- 4star
- D
- 9.6
- 2star
- K
- 7.3
- 3star
- HB
- 2.3
- 2star
- M
- 2.6
- 3star
- T
- 1.9
- 3star
- D
- 9.4
- 3star
- K
- 7.0
- 3star
- HB
- 2.4
- 3star
- M
- 3.2
- 4star
- T
- 2.0
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND, Ben KingPLAYERCARDSTART9Ben Ainsworth
- Age
- 26
- Ht
- 178cm
- Wt
- 77kg
- Pos.
- M/F
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 14.1
- 4star
- K
- 8.1
- 3star
- HB
- 6.1
- 4star
- M
- 3.5
- 4star
- T
- 2.7
- 4star
- CL
- 1.3
- 3star
- D
- 12.8
- 3star
- K
- 8.3
- 3star
- HB
- 4.5
- 3star
- M
- 4.0
- 4star
- T
- 2.3
- 3star
- CL
- 0.3
- 2star
- D
- 13.6
- 4star
- K
- 6.8
- 3star
- HB
- 6.8
- 5star
- M
- 3.8
- 4star
- T
- 3.4
- 5star
- CL
- 0.8
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND, Bodhi Uwland, Brandon EllisPLAYERCARDSTART34Ben King
- Age
- 24
- Ht
- 202cm
- Wt
- 98kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 7.2
- 2star
- K
- 5.0
- 2star
- HB
- 2.2
- 2star
- M
- 3.5
- 4star
- T
- 0.5
- 3star
- G
- 1.3
- 5star
- D
- 7.5
- 2star
- K
- 5.6
- 2star
- HB
- 1.9
- 1star
- M
- 3.6
- 4star
- T
- 0.3
- 1star
- G
- 1.5
- 5star
- D
- 6.8
- 2star
- K
- 4.4
- 2star
- HB
- 2.4
- 3star
- M
- 3.2
- 4star
- T
- 0.2
- 3star
- G
- 1.0
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND, Darcy MacphersonPLAYERCARDSTART4Brandon Ellis
- Age
- 31
- Ht
- 181cm
- Wt
- 81kg
- Pos.
- Mid
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 21.7
- 5star
- K
- 12.6
- 5star
- HB
- 9.0
- 5star
- M
- 5.3
- 5star
- T
- 2.4
- 4star
- CL
- 1.4
- 4star
- D
- 18.4
- 4star
- K
- 12.9
- 5star
- HB
- 5.6
- 3star
- M
- 4.7
- 4star
- T
- 2.3
- 3star
- CL
- 1.4
- 4star
- D
- 15.0
- 4star
- K
- 7.8
- 3star
- HB
- 7.2
- 5star
- M
- 3.4
- 4star
- T
- 2.2
- 4star
- CL
- 1.0
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND, Hewago Oea, James Tsitas, Jarrod WittsPLAYERCARDSTART44Darcy Macpherson
- Age
- 27
- Ht
- 175cm
- Wt
- 76kg
- Pos.
- Def
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 15.1
- 4star
- K
- 9.3
- 4star
- HB
- 5.8
- 4star
- M
- 3.4
- 3star
- T
- 4.9
- 5star
- MG
- 187.8
- 3star
- D
- 11.0
- 3star
- K
- 6.3
- 3star
- HB
- 4.8
- 3star
- M
- 2.1
- 2star
- T
- 2.5
- 3star
- MG
- 137.3
- 2star
- D
- 11.6
- 3star
- K
- 6.2
- 3star
- HB
- 5.4
- 4star
- M
- 2.2
- 3star
- T
- 4.8
- 5star
- MG
- 113.6
- 2star
PLAYERCARDEND, Levi CasboultPLAYERCARDSTART28Jarrod Witts
- Age
- 32
- Ht
- 209cm
- Wt
- 110kg
- Pos.
- Ruck
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 12.2
- 3star
- K
- 6.4
- 3star
- HB
- 5.8
- 4star
- CL
- 3.3
- 5star
- HO
- 31.8
- 5star
- D
- 10.8
- 3star
- K
- 5.9
- 2star
- HB
- 4.9
- 3star
- CL
- 3.4
- 4star
- HO
- 29.5
- 5star
- D
- 7.8
- 2star
- K
- 4.2
- 2star
- HB
- 3.6
- 3star
- CL
- 0.4
- 3star
- HO
- 8.0
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND, Lloyd Johnston, Ned Moyle, Nick Holman, Oskar Faulkhead, Sam Clohesy, Sam DayPLAYERCARDSTART30Levi Casboult
- Age
- 34
- Ht
- 199cm
- Wt
- 104kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 9.9
- 3star
- K
- 6.5
- 3star
- HB
- 3.4
- 3star
- M
- 5.3
- 5star
- T
- 1.7
- 4star
- G
- 1.1
- 4star
- D
- 10.1
- 3star
- K
- 7.6
- 3star
- HB
- 2.6
- 2star
- M
- 5.9
- 5star
- T
- 1.3
- 2star
- G
- 1.3
- 5star
- D
- 9.2
- 3star
- K
- 6.2
- 3star
- HB
- 3.0
- 3star
- M
- 5.2
- 5star
- T
- 2.2
- 4star
- G
- 1.4
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND, Sandy Brock, Sean LemmensPLAYERCARDSTART12Sam Day
- Age
- 32
- Ht
- 196cm
- Wt
- 106kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 9.8
- 2star
- K
- 5.2
- 2star
- HB
- 4.6
- 3star
- M
- 3.5
- 4star
- T
- 1.8
- 4star
- G
- 0.7
- 4star
- D
- 8.0
- 2star
- K
- 3.6
- 1star
- HB
- 4.4
- 3star
- M
- 1.9
- 2star
- T
- 1.5
- 2star
- G
- 0.9
- 4star
- D
- 8.6
- 3star
- K
- 3.2
- 2star
- HB
- 5.4
- 4star
- M
- 3.0
- 3star
- T
- 0.8
- 3star
- G
- 0.2
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND, Thomas BerryPLAYERCARDSTART23Sean Lemmens
- Age
- 30
- Ht
- 184cm
- Wt
- 81kg
- Pos.
- Def
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 11.9
- 3star
- K
- 6.7
- 3star
- HB
- 5.2
- 4star
- M
- 2.5
- 3star
- T
- 2.9
- 4star
- MG
- 165.2
- 3star
- D
- 10.5
- 3star
- K
- 6.0
- 2star
- HB
- 4.5
- 3star
- M
- 1.0
- 1star
- T
- 1.5
- 2star
- MG
- 213.5
- 3star
- D
- 12.8
- 4star
- K
- 8.8
- 4star
- HB
- 4.0
- 3star
- M
- 2.0
- 3star
- T
- 2.2
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND, Will RowlandsPLAYERCARDSTART16Thomas Berry
- Age
- 24
- Ht
- 185cm
- Wt
- 80kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 7.8
- 2star
- K
- 3.2
- 1star
- HB
- 4.6
- 3star
- M
- 2.0
- 2star
- T
- 2.2
- 4star
- G
- 0.0
- 1star
- D
- 7.8
- 2star
- K
- 3.2
- 1star
- HB
- 4.6
- 3star
- M
- 2.0
- 2star
- T
- 2.2
- 3star
- G
- 0.0
- 1star
- D
- 7.8
- 2star
- K
- 3.2
- 2star
- HB
- 4.6
- 4star
- M
- 2.0
- 3star
- T
- 2.2
- 4star
- G
- 0.0
- 1star
PLAYERCARDEND