AFL Live Gold Coast Suns - Bound for Glory

[Macca_]

The year is 2011 and the Gold Coast Suns are about to embark on their inaugural season in the AFL. The Suns have put together a good list, with a few experienced campaigners to go with a list full of young guns. The future looks bright for the boys in red and yellow.

Difficulty: Veteran
Quarter Length: 5 mins
Injuries: Medium
Format: Seventeen game season, each team plays each other once
Teams: All (Inc. GWS)​

 

[Macca_]

Suns announce captain, appoint head coach

Today, the Gold Coast Suns have announced that their biggest signing will also be the team's inaugural captain. Gary Ablett Jnr., who signed a lucrative contract with the Suns at the conclusion of the season, will lead the Gold Coast in 2011. "I'm thrilled to say the least" said Ablett, who later said that he "looked forward to the challenge".
Today also marked the appointment of the Gold Coast Football Club's first head coach, Guy McKenna.

 

[Macca_]

Practice Match #1
North Melbourne vs. Gold Coast
Etihad Stadium
Jumpers: NM (Home) - Gold Coast (Away - Wave)

The Suns travelled to the Docklands to play their first official match in the AFL, albiet a practice match. Under the roof of Etihad Stadium, the club looked to blood some young talent against an established AFL team. This wouldn't be easy for the Suns, but they looked to get a good result. The Roos were missing a few experienced players, while Gold Coast were at full strength.
Gold Coast started well, keeping up with the run-and-carry game style of North Melbourne. The first quarter was very even, and the scores were locked up at 20 a piece at the first break. Stanley and Matera looked lively up forward, but butchered a few very gettable goals.
The Suns came out all guns blazing after quarter time and the Roos were lackluster, with the boys in red and yellow getting out to a 19-point lead. Captain Ablett led the charge, with a few vital centre clearances. To North Melbourne's credit, they fought back and tied up the scores nearing half time. Matera then kicked one for the Suns at the death to help his team to a five point lead at the main break.
In what was a lackluster quarter from both teams, Jarred Brennan kicked the only major of the quarter for the Suns, while the Roos were held goalless. Ablett continued to play a solid defensive role in the defense, and the Suns midfield was beginning to get on top.
The fourth quarter was dominated by the boys in blue and white. The brave Suns couldn't hold on to the slender lead they had at the start of the quarter, and the Roos dominated. With four minutes left in the match, the Kangaroos hit the front and then went on to kick the sealer courtesy of Lindsay Thomas.

Leading Goalkickers:
North Melbourne: Petrie 3, Edwards 2, McIntosh 1
Gold Coast: Gilbee 3, Stanley 2, Swallow 1

Leading ball winners:
North Melbourne: Petrie 13, Greenwood 12, McIntosh 11
Gold Coast: Rischitelli 15, Ablett 15, Swallow 10

Best on ground (Overall): Petrie (NM)
Best on ground (Gold Coast): Rischitelli/Ablett

FINAL SCORE:
North Melbourne 3.2 6.4 6.8 10.8 (68) def.
Gold Coast 3.2 7.3 8.6 9.7 (61)

 

[Macca_]

Practice Match #2
Gold Coast vs. Indigenous All Stars
Metricon Stadium
Jumpers: Gold Coast (Clash - White wave) - IAS (Home)

Gold Coast had their second preseason game against a star-studded Indigenous All Star team. The IAS were comprised of current AFL players with an indigenous background, and spent their preseason travelling around Australia playing exhibition games. The Suns rested a few young guns as they went up against a strong side.
The gap in class was evident from the get-go, as the IAS raced out to a 25-point lead. The Suns then went up a gear, kicking consecutive goals. Gold Coast finished the quarter off strongly to trail the IAS 24-31 at the first break.
The second quarter was dominated by the IAS. The Suns were only able to register a single behind, while the indigenous players kicked goal after goal. The only highlight for the Suns was a screamer from Karmichael Hunt just before half time.
Gold Coast had several chances at the start of the third quarter but failed to capitalize, kicking 1.5. The young team continued to fight, but were simply no match for the all stars. Brennan was the standout in the third term, racking up possessions and kicking a goal. Swallow and Ablett were also competitive in the midfield. McKenna wasn't a happy man at three quarter time, and demanded that his players add some respectability to the scoreboard in the final term.
McKenna's men were competitive in the final quarter, outscoring the IAS. Hunt, Fraser and N.Ablett all went down with injuries, which was a worry for the Gold Coast. In the end, the IAS recorded a big win against an inexperienced Gold Coast side.

Leading Goalkickers:
Gold Coast: N.Ablett 3, Gillbee 3, Brennan 2
Indigenous All Stars: Motlop 6, Jurrah 4, Betts 3

Leading ball winners:
Gold Coast: Ablett 14, Brennan 13, Swallow 13
Indigenous All Stars: Bateman 17, Franklin 12, Burgoyne 12

Best on ground (Overall): Bateman (IAS)
Best on ground (Gold Coast): Brennan

FINAL SCORE:
Gold Coast 4.0 4.1 7.6 11.8 (74) def. by
Indigenous All Stars 5.1 13.7 19.7 23.8 (146)​

 

[Macca_]

McKenna Press Conference: "We'll be okay"

Guy McKenna, head coach of the Gold Coast, today fronted the media about the game against the Indigenous All Stars. His team was outclassed, and were decimated by injuries in the final quarter. "The injuries that the players got in the final term were very minor, and everyone should come up alright for our next practice match". When questioned about the club's winless record in the preseason so far, McKenna said that "there were plenty of positives to take from both games" and that "we'll be okay".
The Suns' next and final practice match will be against the Power at AAMI Stadium.

 

[Macca_]

BREAKING NEWS: Fixture change, Suns to battle Giants

As torrential rain batters most of Queensland, all flights out of the state have been cancelled. This leaves the Suns with no flight to get to South Australia for their scheduled practice match against Port. In a fixture change, the Suns will battle the Giants on Sunday, permitting the conditions have improved. The Giants, who lost to the Lions last week, are also unable to get flights home. This matchup sees the AFL's two newest teams battle it out.​

 

[Macca_]

Practice Match #3
Gold Coast vs. GWS
Metricon Stadium
Jumpers: Gold Coast (Home) - GWS (Home)
Weather: Rain, Windy

This matchup sees the two newest teams on the block going at it. Neither side has been able to register a win so far this preseason, and both will be looking to get a win on the board. Conditions aren't ideal for footy, but it should take nothing away from the game. In front of their home ground, the Suns will look to get a good result.
Scrappy, wet weather footy was on display in the first term. Neither side was able to impact the scoreboard. The ruckmen from either team were leading the disposal count for their respective sides. Callan Ward scored a goal for the Giants, while the Suns failed to kick a goal.
The second quarter was when the Suns stamped their authority. They kicked four goals, while their senior players standing up and making an impact. Brennan continued to be influential, as was Palmer for GWS.
In an unconvincing third quarter, the Suns were still able to extend their lead out to 26 points. Fraser and N.Ablett continued to play well, and the pressure inside 50 from Gold Coast was outstanding. GWS were still able to dominate possession, leaving Bluey McKenna frustrated.
In a Callan Ward-inspired quarter which saw the Giants challenge, the Suns did enough to get over the line.

Leading Goalkickers:
Gold Coast: N.Ablett 4, Gillbee 2, Matera 1
GWS: Ward 4, Milera 1

Leading ball winners:
Gold Coast: Rischitelli 11, Fraser 10, Brennan 9
GWS: Irons 12, Palmer 11, Brogan 11

Best on ground (Overall): N.Ablett (GCS)
Best on ground (Gold Coast): N.Ablett

FINAL SCORE:
Gold Coast 0.1 4.2 6.3 9.4 (58) def.
GWS 1.1 2.1 2.1 5.4 (34)

​

 

[Mr Zero]

Nice start, this'll be interesting.