GOLD COAST SUNS
Coach: Damien Hardwick
Captain: Touk Miller and Jarrod Witts
What occurred in 2023?
A season of expectation rapidly fell flat for the Suns, who turned the sideshow of the AFL late within the season after sacking coach Stuart Dew earlier than embarking on an around-the-world pursuit of Damien Hardwick.
Under interim coach Steven King they had been as soon as once more in rivalry for finals late within the season, solely to drop their closing 4 video games and end on 10 wins for the marketing campaign.
Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell loved career-best seasons, whereas the Suns unearthed a star of the long run in first-round choose Bailey Humphrey.
Jack Lukosius discovered his finest place as a everlasting key ahead alongside Ben King, who loved a strong marketing campaign in his return from a knee harm.
Mac Andrew put his hand up because the third tall down again, whereas younger midfielder Sam Flanders broke out within the second half of the season so as to add to the Suns’ engine room expertise.
Where do they end in 2024?
How rapidly his enjoying group can adapt to Hardwick’s sport plan may very well be the distinction between finals or bust for the Suns in 2024.
It’s all constructive popping out of pre-season up to now however each gamers and training employees have been frank that it’ll take time to correctly implement the brand new coach’s system.
The long-term outlook of the record improved considerably with the addition of 4 Suns Academy stars within the draft, nonetheless it could take time for them to make a correct impression at AFL stage.
In Gold Coast’s favour is the age profile of its finest gamers, the majority of whom fall within the 24-29 vary and are coming into their prime.
Biggest improver in 2024?
Malcolm Rosas Jr is the one. He has all of the expertise to be a prime line small ahead within the AFL however hasn’t been capable of finding consistency up to now in his profession.
He comes with all of the instruments Hardwick likes in his strain small forwards and needs to be given each alternative to flourish beneath the brand new coach.
If he can enhance his tank – as he declared late final season was his purpose – then 2024 may very well be the 12 months we glimpse Rosas’ true potential.
X-factor
Bailey Humphrey had 26 touches and a purpose in simply his seventh AFL sport towards eventual grand finalists the Brisbane Lions.
He confirmed a lot potential so early that the Suns felt obligated to present him midfield minutes, regardless of the staggering depth within the place already.
Humphrey returned for his first full pre-season and lower 20 seconds from his 2km PB, declaring an intent to play much more via the center in 2024.
Natural development into his second season would make him must-watch in 2024.
Coach standing
Gold Coast obtained its man with a monster six-year deal tying Hardwick to the Suns for the foreseeable future.
There is loads of expectation on the shoulders of the triple-premiership coach, however the Suns have gone all-in on Hardwick and for higher or worse will probably be tied to him over the journey.
Who is in final 12 months of contract?
Alex Davies, Alex Sexton, Ben Ainsworth, Ben King, Bodhi Uwland, Brandon Ellis, Darcy Macpherson, Hewago Oea, James Tsitas, Jarrod Witts, Levi Casboult, Lloyd Johnston, Ned Moyle, Nick Holman, Oskar Faulkhead, Sam Clohesy, Sam Day, Sandy Brock, Sean Lemmens, Thomas Berry, Will Rowlands
Outs for 2024
Elijah Hollands (Carlton), Mabior Chol (Hawthorn), Chris Burgess (Adelaide), Connor Blakely (retired), Charlie Constable (retired), Jeremy Sharp (delisted), Jake Stein (delisted), Jed Anderson (delisted), Brodie McLaughlin (delisted)
Ins for 2024
Jed Walter (draft), Ethan Read (draft), Jake Rogers (draft), Will Graham (draft), Sam Clohesy (rookie draft), Will Rowlands (rookie draft), Jack Mahoney (rookie draft)
Originally revealed as Gold Coast preview: The younger weapons who might set Suns alight in 2024 to interrupt into finals
Source: www.news.com.au
