Finals have been a very long time coming for the Gold Coast Suns.
Joining the competitors in 2011, the Suns have confronted important challenges, nonetheless but to make the finals whereas youthful sibling Greater Western Sydney has already made it to a decider and a number of September campaigns.
In 2023, the Suns are in pretty much as good a spot to seal a finals berth as they’ve been since 2014, when finals appeared a foregone conclusion earlier than Gary Ablett Jr’s pricey shoulder damage.
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Last season, the Suns matched that yr’s club-best win-loss report, going 10-12, however all of that was with out arguably their most vital participant: Ben King.
King is ready to make his return from an ACL damage and could possibly be the distinction judging by the spectacular type he had proven in his 47-goal season in 2021.
On prime of King, the Suns would be the beneficiaries of one other pre-season for a mightily spectacular younger brigade, headlined by King, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell.
The groundwork for a formidable 2023 season was laid in 2022 when the Suns lastly stopped an alarming pattern of falling off the cliff face within the second half of the home-and-away fixture.
“Our consistency has probably been the missing link,” star midfielder Touk Miller advised foxfooty.com.au.
“Last year I think was our most consistent in terms of having the ability to string together multiple wins in a row, but also if you have a bad loss you don’t back it up with another one.
“I feel like consistency is going to be key, we’ve got start really well.”
With an honest sufficient draw and what’s hopefully a small damage checklist, the Suns are primed to interrupt their September-less streak in 2023.
Doing so could be simply reward for coach Stuart Dew, who dealt with himself with aplomb throughout a yr of immense strain final season and was rewarded with a two-year contract extension.
The lack of Izak Rankine was one of many solely downsides to the 2022 season, however some savvy recruiting has introduced in, amongst others, ready-made starters in Jed Anderson and Ben Long.
After so lengthy within the darkness, 2023 may properly be the yr the solar lastly rises.
STRENGTH
Forward firepower
It was unbelievable to see Mabior Chol and Levi Casboult mix for 79 objectives in 2022, respiratory life right into a ahead line many thought would wrestle with out Ben King.
Now, it’s extra a case of learn how to match all of them in, which is a good downside for Stuart Dew to have.
It’s an imposing ahead line and certain turns into much more so if the likes of Jarrod Witts and Touk Miller are combining properly additional up the sector to generate good entries.
WEAKNESS
Lack of A-graders
Touk Miller was proper within the combine for the Brownlow Medal final yr, however there aren’t many within the Suns lineup who can genuinely stand alongside him within the AFL pecking order.
True, the likes of Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell are nonetheless growing, however there stands to be a major quantity of concentrate on Miller in 2023 after one other good season.
If you’re taking Miller out, the Suns’ midfield doesn’t run as deep as most of the different contenders for finals.
WHERE ARE THEY ON THE PREMIERSHIP CLOCK?
7pm.
The Suns are nearer to a premiership than they’re a rebuild.
They have to take advantage of a resurgent Jarrod Witts who might be 31 this yr, whereas the likes of Touk Miller and Lachie Weller are at or close to their prime.
It’s a great checklist construct, with the younger brigade prone to peak in time for the facet as a complete to be imposing earlier than the older gamers start to say no.
PREDICTED LADDER RANGE
Seventh-Tenth
PREDICTED ROUND 1 TEAM
B: Sean Lemmens, Sam Collins, Ben Long
HB: Charlie Ballard, Caleb Graham, Jy Farrar
C: Brandon Ellis, Touk Miller, Elijah Hollands
HF: Joel Jeffrey, Mabior Chol, Ben Ainsworth
F: Malcolm Rosas, Ben King, Nick Holman
FOLL: Jarrod Witts, Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson
I/C: David Swallow, Jack Lukosius, Sam Flanders, Lachie Weller, Charlie Constable
Originally printed as ‘Missing link’ can set off daybreak of a brand new Gold Coast Suns period
Source: www.news.com.au
