Suns in the Media - Part I

[Iva Bigun]

Nah, I could have sworn he chose the Tigers because he rated their list highly and that it wasn't about the money, and they were barely offering more/the same as us depending on who you talked to.

I wonder how much more they could have offered him for Rocket to consider it so easily unmatchable? He would have been on what? 400-600K-ish already. I wonder how much of a raise we offered him to stay?

Oh well, good on him for grabbing a pay packet like that while it was on offer. I can't say I wouldnt have done the same thing. And thanks for pick6!

May just cost them Dusty as he will be saying if a meatball is worth 850k then I want 1.2M

 

[SunsBhoy]

Brayden Fiorini prepared to develop game in Gold Coast Suns backline before launching case for midfield

Tom Boswell, Gold Coast Bulletin
February 2, 2017 12:01am
Subscriber only

BRAYDEN Fiorini is prepared for a likely stint in the Gold Coast backline as he looks to make up for lost time and get the experience needed to challenge for a place in a now stacked Suns midfield.

Fiorini only played the final two games of his debut season in 2016 after injuring the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee in a NEAFL match in mid-April.

The 19-year-old is predominantly a midfielder but said he would likely mould his game across half-back in 2017 following discussions with coach Rodney Eade.

“My body is probably still not up to where it needs to be for the midfield,” Fiorini said.

“I’m still a bit behind to play a full season in the midfield so whether it’s throwing me at half-back – I’ve been trying that a little bit – and just trying to build my body up to get into that midfield again.

“My aim is just to play as many games as I can whether it’s in the seniors or reserves. I’m happy to play wherever he (Eade) wants me to.

“I’ve played a variety of roles and I see myself more attacking but I don’t mind going to half-back and being an attacking half-back as well.”

Spots in the Gold Coast midfield are at a premium as the likes of Gary Ablett and David Swallow return from injury and recruits Pearce Hanley, Jarryd Lyons and Michael Barlow impress on the track.

Fiorini was one of the most highly touted players from the Suns 2015 draftee group after being taken at pick 20 in the first round before his maiden year was tarnished by injury.

But the 19-year-old showed his potential in the final game when he gathered 32 possessions, seven marks, five clearances, 12 tackles and two goals in the final round against Port Adelaide to earn a Brownlow vote in just his second AFL game.

Fiorini has built his frame from 73kg to 80kg in the past year as he prepares for what is essentially a second chance at his first season.

“Speaking to a few people at the club they still see me as a first-year player because I missed so many games last year,” Fiorini said.

“I just want to get a full year under my belt and play as many games as I can.”

 

[SunsBhoy]

Rodney Eade says Suns could secure future of three players within a month

Tom Boswell, Gold Coast Bulletin
February 1, 2017 11:33am
Subscriber only

GOLD Coast coach Rodney Eade says the club could secure the future of three key players within a month as the Suns prepare to move out of their “archaic” demountables and into a new training and administration facility.

Gold Coast have recently signed trio David Swallow, Peter Wright and Callum Ah Chee and newly crowned co-captain Steven May, Jack Martin and Touk Miller could be among the three to ink new deals in the coming weeks.

“We’ve got six at the end of the year who are out of contract. Three have already signed and the other three will sign within the next month,” Eade told SEN radio.

Gold Coast have spent their entire existence working out of demountables while the players have been using the Bond University Sports Centre gym recently as temperatures reached high levels in their own shed at Metricon Stadium.

But the Suns are a week away from moving into $22 million training and administration facilities at Carrara and Eade said he expected it to have a positive impact across the board.

“That will certainly give the club a bit of a boost” Eade said.

“Obviously the players have been there six or seven years having to be in an archaic situation.

“I didn’t realise until I got up there how bad it was. The gymnasium is a big shed with no airconditioning.

“With weather like we have got at the moment you spend a couple of hours on the track and go and do weights in the afternoon and you just sweat and don’t get any benefit from it.

“It will have some affects on recruitment and a whole range of different things. I think the players — Tom Lynch and these players like Steven May who have been there for a long time, obviously get frustrated with such facilities.”

Eade said former captain Gary Ablett would likely spend around 40 per cent of his time in the forward line this year as he works his way back from shoulder and knee injuries.

“If he played as a permanent forward I think he could probably kick 50 to 60 (goals) I would have thought,” Eade said.

“If you’re a defender on him your twitching like anything. His ability to read the ball and be in the right spot to get it is as good as I’ve seen.”

Eade said the AFL’s decision to allow only nominated ruckman to contest a throw-in or ball-up could benefit the Suns but he was unconvinced it was necessary.

“I can’t see the reason why we need the change because there is no definitive benefit,” Eade said.

“People say injuries but there hasn’t really been any injuries.

“It will probably help us because we have a ruckman who is six foot 10 (Jarrod Witts, 209cm).

“If I put my club hat on I think it’s terrific but for football I don’t see any benefit from doing it. I don’t know why we needed the change.

 

[SunsBhoy]

Gold Coast Suns forward Sam Day says mind and not technique are key to his goalkicking success

Tom Boswell, Gold Coast Bulletin
February 1, 2017 12:00am
Subscriber only

SUNS forward Sam Day admits he was plagued by a case of the yips last season as he fights to become a greater goalkicking threat for the Gold Coast.

Day had a success rate of just 48.3 per cent last year after kicking 14 goals and 12 behinds in an AFL season where he started up forward.

As the season progressed he found himself splitting time between the forward line and the back of the field.

But after having his kicking technique given the stamp of approval by new Suns specialist coach Barry Hall, Day said it was the mental side of kicking during game situations that had stopped him making a bigger impact on the scoreboard.

The 24-year-old said that developing a strong kicking routine was the secret to putting the Sherrin through for more majors.

“Barry has been out with us a few times which has been really good and it’s not so much my technique but more mental and making sure I have got a good set routine,” Day said.

“That will give me the best opportunity to follow through and kick those goals as much as possible.

“In 2016 I didn’t make the most of my opportunities in front of goal.

“It’s hard to simulate (at training) the fatigue you get during those games so it’s about making sure you have got that routine down pat and follow that, no matter what the situation is.”

Day said Hall, a leading goalkicker with St Kilda, Sydney and the Bulldogs, had made a strong impact during the early stages of his new role at the club as he helps mould the Suns key position players.

“Baz has been great,” Day told the Bulletin. “He is really strong with his messaging and he gets it across really easily.

“He is really relatable to the guys and he’s been teaching us all the little nuances around goal kicking, leading and marking so he has been a massive help so far.”

Day formed part of a strong tall-forward trio for the Suns alongside All-Australian Tom Lynch and emerging star Peter Wright at stages last season.

Their mix of height and strength proved difficult for opponents to match up on.

Day said he was yet to find out if coach Rodney Eade would go with the same structure in 2017 but was confident that it could continue to have success.

“We will see what Rocket (Eade) wants to do but it worked for us at times last year,” Day said.

“We will just have to wait and see how that unfolds and I’m sure we will get a good look at that during the JLT Series (in the pre-season).”

 

[SunsBhoy]

Suns midfielder Touk Miller puts contract on backburner as he focuses on return from ankle surgery
January 30, 2017 12:00am
Tom Boswell

Touk Miller is concentrating on returning to peak fitness following ankle surgery. Picture: Chris Hyde, Getty Images.

YOUNG Gold Coast leader Touk Miller says he will likely ramp up contract talks with the Suns in the coming months but for now he is focused on returning from ankle reconstruction.

The 20-year-old is the youngest player in the Suns seven-man leadership group and on the cusp of starting his third AFL season.

It follows an impressive opening two years where he played 40 games and became a bona fide midfielder after stepping up in the wake of the club’s well-documented injury problems during that time. But Miller is out of contract at the end of 2017 and his ability, coupled with his professionalism and leadership qualities, would make him a tantalising prospect to most rival AFL clubs.

Miller said he had some initial talks with the Gold Coast but put them on the backburner as he continued to work his way back to peak fitness following surgery on his left ankle at the end of the 2016 season.

“I’m in talks with the club, which is good, but I haven’t really touched on it much at the moment,” he said.

“I’ve just been getting through the pre-season and getting over my injury.

“Getting through the injury was the main goal and I’ll probably sit down and work with the club a bit more in a few months’ time.”

Miller is back doing full contact work with the main playing group but said he would need to manage his ankle throughout the year.

“It’s going good and I’m up and going now and back with the main group which is really pleasing,” Miller said.

The Melbourne product said he was yet to ponder a return to Victoria.

Miller has a close bond with Suns forward Peter Wright, also taken at the 2014 draft, who he played junior football alongside.

Wright extended his contract until the end of 2019 in December and credited his friendship with Miller as a major reason why he stayed.

 

[SunsBhoy]

Gold Coast confident of keeping star trio Steven May, Jack Martin and Touk Miller in Suns colours

JON RALPH, Herald Sun
February 1, 2017 7:12pm

GOLD Coast believes it can erase this year’s retention challenges by Round 1 as it closes in on the signatures of Steven May, Jack Martin and Touk Miller.

And the Suns will seek early extension on the contracts of its young batch of top-10 draft selections Ben Ainsworth, Jack Scrimshaw, Will Brodie and Jack Bowes.

The Suns last year lost a second successive pair of talented young stars in Dion Prestia and Jaeger O’Meara as Gary Ablett’s trade inquiry was rebuffed.



But having already made significant progress on its batch of re-signings Eade and list manager Scott Clayton believe they will quickly add to that list.

The club has signed key tells Rory Thompson, Tom Nicholls and Peter Wright over the off-season as well as recovering onballer David Swallow.

New co-captain May has already expressed a desire to remain at the club and says “it’s a matter of when” he inks a new deal.

Steven May is co-captain alongside Tom Lynch. Picture: Regi Varghese
The Suns believe they will quickly sign exciting midfielder Jack Martin as his five-year deal expires, with Miller, Trent McKenzie and Jesse Lonergan soon to follow.

Its four top-10 selections have all signed initial two-year deals but the Suns will offer extensions past 2018 to a quartet it deliberately picked because of minimal go-home factor.

Eade said yesterday the club’s list management was in a strong position despite the departures of those midfielders.

“As a club there has been rhetoric that we can’t keep players. There are only four players the club has tried (and failed) to keep over five or six years,’’ he said.

“So it’s not a big deal. We have six at the end of the year who are out of contract and three are already signed and we think the next three will re-sign in the next month.

“Internally there is a different attitude to what is seen externally,” he told SEN.

Touk Miller has been a revelation on the Gold Coast.
May said last month he would shortly commit on a long-term deal.

“Once I have a meeting with my manager and sit down and view my future — which becoming a captain you would think is on the Gold Coast — so once that comes together I should be staying here.

“I’ve always signed in my out-of-contract year so to myself and my manger it’s more of a formality.”


The ability to sign its two key forwards in the past 12 months was also crucial, with Tom Lynch on an $800,000 a year deal and Peter Wright signing an extension until 2019.

Ablett has two more years on his deal but uncertainty will continue after requesting a return to Geelong.

But it is understood his personal situation has improved over the summer as his wife Jordan’s homesickness eases.

“People have got to respect there are things in his life he had to sort out and help some people,’’ Eade said.

“We want to keep it as private as possible but there are some things he spoke about with Marcus Ashcroft and Scott Clayton that are personal.”

 

[SunsBhoy]

Gold Coast Suns coach Rodney Eade would have denied Gary Ablett’s request back to Geelong

DAMIEN RACTLIFFE, Geelong Advertiser
February 1, 2017 4:18pm
Subscriber only

• 
  

GOLD Coast Suns coach Rodney Eade said he would have told Gary Ablett “bad luck” had the champion midfielder requested a trade back to Geelong.

The veteran mentor said Ablett never asked him personally about breaking his contract early; Eade only found out later on the 32-year-old had discussed moving back to the Cattery with his manager Liam Pickering.

“I didn’t know about it at the time, to be honest,” Eade told SEN radio.

“(I found out) once it all broke — it was coming out (in the media) and a few people at the club said, ‘look this is going to happen’.

“I think Pickers, his manager, mentioned it in the media that it was just a question he asked, and we obviously wanted to keep it as private as possible, but there were some things he spoke about to (recruiting manager) Scott Clayton and (football manager) Marcus Ashcroft that were personal — so it was separate to the club.

Gary Ablett is back training with the Gold Coast Suns.
“This has been mashed together and I think people have got to respect that there are some things in his life he wants to sort out and help some people.”

When asked what he would have told Ablett had the then-captain requested a trade back to the Cats, Eade replied, “bad luck”.

The dual premiership player is still recovering from a shoulder injury that saw him miss the second half of 2016, but Eade said it was important his side could win games without relying on the champion.

“We have to go past Gary … you can’t rely on one player — if you’ve got 22 players and you’re playing in a final — you can’t rely on one player. As good as he is, and as good as he was,” Eade said.

“He’s done all his match-simulation, even though his shoulder isn’t right to do total contact, as a forward.

“I still think he’s a very good midfielder, but if he plays as a permanent forward, he’d kick 50 or 60 (goals), I would have thought.

“If you’re a defender on him, you’d be twitching like anything.

“His ability to read the ball and be in the right spot, is as good as I have ever seen.”

The 288-game star handed over the Suns captaincy to Tom Lynch and Steven May in the off-season, having played just 20 games in the last two seasons.

 

[the_chad]

Happy to see Fiorini will spend some time down back, gives him a greater chance to play regular footy. We all ready have Ablett, Barlow, Lyons and Miller who will be at half forward when not in the guts and Bowes, Ainsworth, Arch are more suited to that role of the young guys.

 

[SunsBhoy]

Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade wants Gary Ablett to emulate rival stars
February 1, 2017 3:22pm
Tom Morris


Day: Ablett still main man

GOLD Coast coach Rodney Eade believes veteran Gary Ablett’s increasingly frequent forays forward could see him impact games as significantly as two of the finest goal sneaks competition.



On an AFL-run Facebook Q & A, Eade was asked whether his two-time Brownlow medallist could emulate the freakish feats of Eddie Betts and Cyril Rioli. His response was unequivocal despite Ablett’s recent shoulder troubles.



“Yes he can,” Eade said.



“We believe we’ve got quite a few players now who have that ability. Ablett, (Ben) Ainsworth are another year along, (Callum) Ah Chee as well.”



In a separate interview with SEN Breakfast, Eade discussed his expectation for Ablett the forward.



“If he plays as a permanent forward, he’d kick 50 or 60 (goals), I would have thought. If you’re a defender on him, you’d be twitching like anything … His ability to read the ball and be in the right spot, is as good as I have ever seen,” he said.



“I still think he’s a very good midfielder … but I would’ve thought 60 (per cent forward time) to 40 (per cent midfield time).”



“Gary’s accepting of (playing more forward). He’s done all his match-simulation — even though his shoulder’s not right to do total contact — as a forward so far.”




Eade is hoping his young team can grow beyond their typical reliance on their 288-game champion, who missed the last seven games in 2016 due to injury and hasn’t been at his best since 2014.



“Having been involved in footy at other clubs … we have to go past Gary,” he said.



You can’t rely on one player. If you’ve got 22 players and you’re playing in a final, you can’t rely on one player — as good as he is and as good as he was,” he said.



“Unfortunately with him being a midfielder, all of our midfield was out (last year), so we didn’t have the chance to go past him, per se.



“Hopefully now with the players we’ve recruited and what we’ve done with the draft and if we don’t get injuries, we’re able to give these players a lot more game time in the midfield, so (Ablett) can be that extra midfielder that can play forward as well. Hopefully he can be the cream on the top.”




One of those recruits is former Fremantle ball-winner Michael Barlow, who joined the Suns on a two-year deal last November after 126 games with the Dockers.



Eade anticipates the 28-year-old will play a mixture of forward and midfield, just as he did at his best under Mark Harvey and Ross Lyon in the west.



“Michael’s been a positive addition to the squad,” he said.



“We think he can play as a tagger but also play as a high forward due to his great aerobic capacity.”



Eade also indicated recruits Ainsworth and Jack Bowes would “push” for selection in Round 1 against the Brisbane Lions.



An interrupted pre-season means Will Brodie is unlikely to play senior football until midyear, while Brad Scheer and Jack Scrimshaw are more likely to feature in the back end of Gold Coast’s 2017 campaign.



The Suns begin their JLT Community series against the Lions on Sunday 19 February in Merrimac, Queensland.

 

[Shai]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-02-01/gun-gold-coast-draftees-in-the-mix-for-round-one

Bowes and Ainsworth in the mix for round 1, Scrimshaw and Brodie will be spending first part of the season in the reserves.

Exciting times ahead! Worth noting that Rocket said Brodie had an interrupted pre season, may debut mid year. Scheer & Scrimshaw towards the end of the year.

 

[SunsBhoy]

Take a bow we get a mention , i take it this is GC Digital ?

Get the Right Content to the Right People at the Right Time



“Get the right content to the right people at the right time.”

A mantra most social media managers in sport live by, where fanatic fans are the heartbeat of the organisation.

These fans and their influence can make or break you.

But in order to build and curate a dedicated tribe of engaged followers on social media, first you need to know where the fans are talking.

At the Gold Coast SUNS, our fanatics are communicating via an online footy forum called BigFooty, where they spend hours each day talking all things related to the footy club; including the content we create for our official website. They eat, sleep and breathe what we produce, so we need to ensure we’re delivering on their needs to keep them informed and “in the loop”.

We maintain an official presence on the forum and are the direct link to the club for many of these fans. A link they can ask questions, make content requests and just simply enjoy conversing with about the club they love.

They want to come along on the journey, share in the special moments that go on behind closed doors and simply feel as though they’re a part of something special. That’s the beauty of social media and what we can deliver to them.

They engage with the inner-sanctum moments and that’s why they are our lifeblood.

Of course, we can’t just focus on the fanatics, particularly in a growth market like ours in sunny Queensland.

We need to push the boundaries in order to attract new fans and build awareness of our brand, not only locally, but also around the country.

With a key target market being 18-35 year olds, being connected with modern pop culture is paramount and that means memes.

The Mannequin Challenge is a perfect example when innovative sports teams associated themselves with pop culture and achieved tremendous results.

While we unfortunately missed the boat with that due to logistics, in the last week we were able to capitalise on the popularity of “Nice, Garry!” – a meme sensation for cricket lovers around the country referencing Matthew Wade’s vocal support of Nathan “Garry” Lyon’s bowling.


With one of our star players being dual Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett, a 10 second video turned into our second biggest Facebook post of the year, reaching nearly 400,000 fans and delivering over 104,000 video views and counting.

But at the end of the day, it all comes back to getting the right content to the right people at the right time

 

[SUNS]

SunsBhoy 5 Gold star effort for your postings mate! Keep it up

 

[OB11]

Take a bow we get a mention , i take it this is GC Digital ?

Get the Right Content to the Right People at the Right Time



“Get the right content to the right people at the right time.”

A mantra most social media managers in sport live by, where fanatic fans are the heartbeat of the organisation.

These fans and their influence can make or break you.

But in order to build and curate a dedicated tribe of engaged followers on social media, first you need to know where the fans are talking.

At the Gold Coast SUNS, our fanatics are communicating via an online footy forum called BigFooty, where they spend hours each day talking all things related to the footy club; including the content we create for our official website. They eat, sleep and breathe what we produce, so we need to ensure we’re delivering on their needs to keep them informed and “in the loop”.

We maintain an official presence on the forum and are the direct link to the club for many of these fans. A link they can ask questions, make content requests and just simply enjoy conversing with about the club they love.

They want to come along on the journey, share in the special moments that go on behind closed doors and simply feel as though they’re a part of something special. That’s the beauty of social media and what we can deliver to them.

They engage with the inner-sanctum moments and that’s why they are our lifeblood.

Of course, we can’t just focus on the fanatics, particularly in a growth market like ours in sunny Queensland.

We need to push the boundaries in order to attract new fans and build awareness of our brand, not only locally, but also around the country.

With a key target market being 18-35 year olds, being connected with modern pop culture is paramount and that means memes.

The Mannequin Challenge is a perfect example when innovative sports teams associated themselves with pop culture and achieved tremendous results.

While we unfortunately missed the boat with that due to logistics, in the last week we were able to capitalise on the popularity of “Nice, Garry!” – a meme sensation for cricket lovers around the country referencing Matthew Wade’s vocal support of Nathan “Garry” Lyon’s bowling.


With one of our star players being dual Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett, a 10 second video turned into our second biggest Facebook post of the year, reaching nearly 400,000 fans and delivering over 104,000 video views and counting.

But at the end of the day, it all comes back to getting the right content to the right people at the right time

Spot on and could not describe what it is all about any better.

We all want the ride the ups (which we are hoping will come more often) and downs (which we have all done our fair share) and share in the building of a footy club. To know that the club listens to what we have to say and that it is a 2 way relationship just engenders even more goodwill and makes the relationship even stickier.

I for one was pretty chuffed when Rocket answered 2 of my questions on AFL.com yesterday and even referred to one as a 'great question'

 

[LynchysMob]

Take a bow we get a mention , i take it this is GC Digital ?

Get the Right Content to the Right People at the Right Time



“Get the right content to the right people at the right time.”

A mantra most social media managers in sport live by, where fanatic fans are the heartbeat of the organisation.

These fans and their influence can make or break you.

But in order to build and curate a dedicated tribe of engaged followers on social media, first you need to know where the fans are talking.

At the Gold Coast SUNS, our fanatics are communicating via an online footy forum called BigFooty, where they spend hours each day talking all things related to the footy club; including the content we create for our official website. They eat, sleep and breathe what we produce, so we need to ensure we’re delivering on their needs to keep them informed and “in the loop”.

We maintain an official presence on the forum and are the direct link to the club for many of these fans. A link they can ask questions, make content requests and just simply enjoy conversing with about the club they love.

They want to come along on the journey, share in the special moments that go on behind closed doors and simply feel as though they’re a part of something special. That’s the beauty of social media and what we can deliver to them.

They engage with the inner-sanctum moments and that’s why they are our lifeblood.

Of course, we can’t just focus on the fanatics, particularly in a growth market like ours in sunny Queensland.

We need to push the boundaries in order to attract new fans and build awareness of our brand, not only locally, but also around the country.

With a key target market being 18-35 year olds, being connected with modern pop culture is paramount and that means memes.

The Mannequin Challenge is a perfect example when innovative sports teams associated themselves with pop culture and achieved tremendous results.

While we unfortunately missed the boat with that due to logistics, in the last week we were able to capitalise on the popularity of “Nice, Garry!” – a meme sensation for cricket lovers around the country referencing Matthew Wade’s vocal support of Nathan “Garry” Lyon’s bowling.


With one of our star players being dual Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett, a 10 second video turned into our second biggest Facebook post of the year, reaching nearly 400,000 fans and delivering over 104,000 video views and counting.

But at the end of the day, it all comes back to getting the right content to the right people at the right time

A bit of Gary Vaynerchuk to that approach. Love it.

 

[SunsBhoy]

Kudo's to the Bully and Tom Boswell , they are pumping out the articles on our club this off season . We are not hearing much from the club just yet but the Bully promoting the club well.

Kade Kolodjashnij says Gary Ablett will return to his best without pressure of captaincy
February 3, 2017 12:03am
Tom Boswell

Kade Kolodjashnij (left) is backing former skipper Gary Ablett to bounce back to form after standing down as captain. Photo: Matt Roberts, Getty Images.

GOLD Coast defender Kade Kolodjashnij says Gary Ablett’s decision to stand down as Suns captain was a stroke of brilliance and he predicts the superstar will thrive without the pressure that comes with the title.

Kolodjashnij said the decision would not diminish Ablett’s influence on the team nor his leadership but he was confident it could help the dual Brownlow medallist get back to his scintillating best this year after being plagued by shoulder and knee injuries in the past two seasons.

“It takes that pressure off him now by not having that title of being skipper,” Kolodjashnij said.

“He can just worry about himself a bit more and he is still getting around the boys which has been great.

“I think he is really going to benefit from that. He is a great leader in his own right, he has been for a long time at this club and probably at Geelong as well. I think it’s just taken that pressure off him and I think he will shine.”

Ablett hasn’t guaranteed he will play on next year, despite being contracted until the end of 2018.

But Kolodjashnij said the team was now in a position where it could find success even if the 32-year-old chose not to play on at the Suns past this season.

“I definitely think there are blokes who can come in and fill that role,” Kolodjashnij said.

“Obviously he is a great player but I definitely think there are players that can come in and we can get new players in so we should be fine.

“We have got a new leadership group now with Tom Lynch and Steven May as captains and there’s a few young boys coming up through the ranks like Touk Miller in that leadership capacity.

“It’s really exciting the young talent we have got.”

Kolodjashnij said Ablett was one of the strongest performers in the pre-season as he works towards a return.

“It’s really exciting to see Gaz up and about,” Kolodjashnij said.

“He had a few tough years there but it’s great to see him running around now and hopefully he has a great year.

“He is incredible. When you see him at training, some of the stuff he does, some of the goals he kicks on the snap and just his awareness and how agile he is, is pretty extraordinary.

“He is probably one of the greats of the game and it should be exciting to see him back this year.”

 

[Matchu]

Article in the GC Bulletin today confirms the Suns will play home games at the Gabba early next year during the Comm Games. The club hopes to only play three 'home' games during the 10 week period that Metricon is unavailable and wants one of those 'home fixtures to be the game in China. They said they're also open to selling a home game to a northern QLD city.

So that would mean eight home games in the last 12 rounds.

 

[Shai]

Indigenous camp in Broome

 

[Fat Pizza]

Spot on and could not describe what it is all about any better.

We all want the ride the ups (which we are hoping will come more often) and downs (which we have all done our fair share) and share in the building of a footy club. To know that the club listens to what we have to say and that it is a 2 way relationship just engenders even more goodwill and makes the relationship even stickier.

I for one was pretty chuffed when Rocket answered 2 of my questions on AFL.com yesterday and even referred to one as a 'great question'

It was a "great question". I liked Rocket's answer too. I hope May does get the chance to be a more attacking player this season.

 

[SunsBhoy]

Gary Ablett in line to play in Gold Coast Suns’ third JLT Community Series game
February 6, 2017 12:06am
Tom Boswell

Gary Ablett is working his way back from shoulder surgery. Photo: Jerad Williams

GARY Ablett will make his return to football in the Gold Coast Suns third and final JLT Community Series game against premiers Western Bulldogs.

The dual-Brownlow medallist, who stood down as captain in November, is making his way back from a second operation on his left shoulder and is targeting the March 9 game against the Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium as his first match back.

Ablett is yet to begin contact work and won’t be involved in the club’s intra-club match next Saturday, February 11, as well as their first two pre-season matches against Brisbane Lions and Essendon.

Suns coach Rodney Eade confirmed the club would use the third game to give Ablett the match practice he needed going into Round 1.

“He will play the third game in the JLT Series,” Eade said.

“He won’t play any games until then. He hasn’t done any contact work yet so we have got to build him up over the next month.”

It is not unusual for Ablett to play just one pre-season game before the premiership season begins and the Suns will be looking to have their best 22 playing in the final hitout before Round 1.

Gold Coast wanted to play him in the final game of last year’s pre-season tournament but a toe injury meant he went into their Round 1 game against Essendon without any matches under his belt.

Ablett will be hoping to put three injury-marred seasons behind him in 2017 and return to the form that has made him one of the greatest players in the modern era.

The 32-year-old had keyhole surgery on his shoulder in 2014 after his season was ended when he dislocated it in Round 16 against Collingwood.

Ablett still managed to finish third in the Brownlow Medal count despite missing the final six games of the regular season. Ablett struggled with a “frozen” and inflamed shoulder through periods of 2015 before his season was ended by a knee injury sustained in Round 17. He played just six games that year.

Ablett showed glimpses of his best last year but dislocated his shoulder again while trying to tackle Brisbane’s Mitch Robinson in the Round 16 QClash and played no further part in the season.

He opted to undergo Latarjet surgery, an operation that involves screwing a piece of bone and muscle from another part of the body to the joint.

 

[SunsBhoy]

Forward progress for Ablett with new goals for 2017
Nick Bowen February 6, 2017 7:00 AM

Gary Ablett is set to spend more time as a forward this season

GOLD Coast is confident Gary Ablett can get back near his best in 2017, with the two-time Brownlow medallist likely to spend more time as a small forward.

Ablett has battled injury since dislocating his left shoulder against Collingwood in round 16, 2014.

After managing just six games in 2015 – a left medial ligament tear sidelined him for the final six rounds – Ablett played 14 of the Suns' first 15 games last season before again dislocating his left shoulder against the Brisbane Lions in round 16.

Ablett underwent a second shoulder reconstruction last July, but is on track to return in the latter stages of the upcoming JLT Community Series.

Suns coach Rodney Eade told AFL.com.au the eight-time All Australian had enjoyed a "terrific" pre-season that suggested he was set for a strong season.

"He came back and has done a lot of work. He's done every session, is running really well, and has done the match simulation without being involved in the tackling stuff," Eade said.

"I was interested in how his shoulder would be, rather than his actual running fitness, and it was in good shape when he got back. He's just about back to full strength on all the rotations and measurements they do.

"He'll start contact training on Monday week and could be right for round two of the JLT Community Series, but I think he'll just play round three and be right from there.

"The operation he had strengthened that shoulder, and given the way he's trained I'm reasonably confident he'll have a good year and play the season out."

Ablett has been one of the competition's elite on-ballers since moving into the midfield in 2007.

However, the 32-year-old has played mostly in attack during match simulation this pre-season, reprising the small forward role he played in his first five seasons with Geelong.

Eade says Ablett will remain a key member of Gold Coast's midfield rotations in 2017, but is likely to be a regular fixture inside the Suns' forward 50 too.

Given his speed, strength and freakish goal sense, Ablett shapes as a nightmare match-up for rival teams, with the Suns believed to view him as a potential 50-goal-a-season forward.

Ablett is contracted to the Suns for another two seasons, but his request for a trade back to Geelong last October and his shoulder problems have created some uncertainty over whether he will be at Metricon Stadium in 2018.

The five-time AFLPA MVP stepped down as Suns captain in November after six years in the role, saying at the time he was no guarantee to play on next season.

Eade is hopeful Ablett will still be a Sun in 2018.

If Ablett's left shoulder holds up, the rest of his body remains sound. Eade has seen no signs – and is supported by the club's GPS data – that the veteran has not lost "anything in terms of his dynamic stuff around the contest".

And Ablett has appeared happier this summer than at any time since Eade became coach in October 2014.

"He's been cracking jokes, laughing and giving really good direction on the training track. He's been good for the younger players and training exceptionally well," Eade says.

"When he asked for a trade there were a few things happening in his life, but I think some things have been sorted out and he seems to be in a pretty good spot.

"We'd like him to be around next year."

 

[SunsBhoy]

Commonwealth Games to push Suns to the Gabba in 2018
Nick Bowen February 6, 2017 7:46 AM

• 

The Suns are set to play at least one home game at the Gabba next year

GOLD COAST will be forced to play at least one home game at the Gabba early next season with Metricon Stadium set to be unavailable for up to 10 weeks because of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The Games will be held on the Gold Coast from April 4-15 next year, when Metricon Stadium will serve as the main stadium.

Gold Coast CEO Andrew Travis told News Corp the club hoped it would only be fixtured to host three home games while Metricon Stadium was unavailable and was eyeing alternative venues to the Gabba.

"Anywhere between rounds eight to 10 we will be back in (at Metricon) so that’s three games we need to relocate. We wouldn't have Metricon without the securing of the Commonwealth Games," Travis said.

"We played three games at the Gabba in the first year in 2011 and you would expect China gives you one of those three and the Gabba is an option.

"North Queensland is somewhere we would like to explore. We are up in Cairns (for a Bulldogs home game) but it's a chance to take another game to the region up there."

The Suns 'host' Port Adelaide in the first home and away contest in China in round eight this year, a match-up Travis hopes will continue in 2018.

Metricon Stadium will be unavailable for about month after the Commonwealth Games so its playing surface can be returned to AFL condition.

 

[SunsBhoy]

Gold Coast recruit Jarryd Lyons says Suns are ready to play in their first AFL finals campaign

Tom Boswell, Gold Coast Bulletin
February 8, 2017 12:00am
Subscriber only

RECRUIT Jarryd Lyons knows what it takes to reach the AFL finals and he says the Suns are ready to make the jump.

Lyons played in three finals series from five seasons at the Adelaide Crows before joining Gold Coast in last year’s trade period for selections 43, 67 and 71.

The challenge of lifting the Suns to their first finals campaign was a key factor in luring Lyons to Queensland.

After training in the side over the pre-season, the 24-year-old is confident they can do it this year.

When asked what drew him to the Suns, Lyons said: “The opportunity and the challenge of playing in a team that probably wasn’t quite up there.

“The talent that is here. There are so many good young players at this footy club and probably young is the key.

“There is so much for everyone to learn, so it’s nice to come in.

“It’s almost like I’m an older type guy and I’m only 24 so and you got the likes of Micky Barlow and Pearce Hanley, who have come in as well, who bring that experience to the group.”

“Gaz (Ablett) is always going to be like that, so I think there is so much to learn with this group and so much upside.”

Lyons is one of few Suns players brought in with finals experience and the midfielder said he was convinced of the playing group’s hunger to win after being asked what it was like to play in the heat of a final.

“I have spoken to a few of the younger boys who have asked,” Lyons said.

“They are really hungry to play so they all want to know what it’s like. The young boys are really eager to know about those things and they want to get there, so that’s the key thing in the group driving us at the moment.”

Lyons wants to build a reputation for his strong inside play and worth ethic at the Suns.

“I’d love to be an honest inside midfielder who works hard and never gives in,” he said. “That’s the key thing I want to bring.”

Lyons never initially intended to leave the Crows at the end of 2016 before the Suns came knocking and convinced him to take up an opportunity on the Gold Coast.

The inside midfielder was coming off his best year in Adelaide where he averaged 21 disposals, 4.7 tackles and 4.15 clearances.

Lyons said it was a tough decision to leave the club where he had thrived in recent seasons but, looking back, he was adamant it was the right decision.

“It was something that happened really quickly,” Lyons said.

“The opportunity came up really late and I just decided to take it. I’m really enjoying it up on the Coast.”

 

[Choppers]

Champion Data rates Peter Wright the best 20-year-old AFL forward of the past seven years.

TOM Lynch may be the Gold Coast player on everybody’s lips.

But his two-metre forward line companion may prove to be the club’s biggest star — and the game’s best big man.

Peter Wright has not only been rated by Champion Data as the best 20-year-old in the competition, but superior to players such as Jeremy Cameron, Taylor Walker and Jesse Hogan when they were also 20.

As profiled in the 2017 AFL Prospectus, Champion Data’s new metric — called “relative rating” — measures how a player is performing relative to others in the same position at the same age.

The sample size is significant too, as players have been compared to each other from 2010 onwards. Wright’s relative rating of +65 per cent has him pegged as the best 20-year-old in the competition.

And when it comes to power forwards since 2010, it seems he also has them all covered.

Wright’s rating of 11.1 is better than Cameron (10.7), Jack Darling (10.0), Hogan (9.8), Walker (9.0), Joe Daniher (7.4), Lynch (7.4) and Jack Gunston (7.3). This may come as a surprise seeing, of the aforementioned group, he has only kicked more goals than Lynch and Gunston at the same age.

Indeed, when Cameron was in 20 in 2013, he booted a whopping 62 goals to finish second in the Coleman Medal in a struggling Giants side that only won one game for the season.

But Wright’s accuracy of 69.2 per cent was seven per cent higher than the next best, while his overall kicking efficiency was also rated No. 1.

The 203cm Wright spent time in the ruck where he averaged 4.3 hit outs per game, which only added to his relative rating.

Champion Data’s appraisal of the 2014 No. 8 draft pick may not fit with the average punter’s perception of the young forward, but the relative rating rang true for Brisbane champion Alastair Lynch.

“He takes good contested marks, but he’s also a really good kick from a long way out,” Lynch told foxfooty.com.au.

“Jonathan Brown was a beautiful long kick for goals from outside 50 and Peter Wright is very similar. He looks like someone who can kick long goals and you’d back him in if he took a shot from outside 50.

“He moves well. He’s so agile for such a big man and kicks the ball beautifully.”

While Lynch was unsure whether Wright could or would overtake his skipper as the Suns’ No. 1 forward, he suggested the pair would prove a nightmare for opposition defences.

“A lot of teams have one quality defender who is big and strong and athletic and in that mould. But not many have two really good defenders at that size,” Lynch said.

“That’s going to be a good thing for Peter Wright over the next couple of years. With Tom Lynch being one of the premier forwards in the competition there’s a relatively good chance Peter Wright’s not going to get the No. 1 defender.

“If he’s getting the second or third string defender, he’s going to be a headache for a lot of clubs, especially if you add Gary Ablett to the forward line.”

Despite this, the triple premiership player rebuked suggestions Wright’s statistics may have been inflated because Lynch would have been taking the opposition’s best defender.

“Someone’s going to get off the hook,” Lynch said.

 

[SunsBhoy]

WA’s Jack Martin to sign two-year contract extension at Gold Coast Suns
Dale MillerWednesday, February 08, 2017 4:00AM

Gold Coast’s Jack Martin in action against Adelaide last season. Picture: Matt Roberts/AFL Media/Getty ImagesPicture: Getty Images


Highly-rated WA forward Jack Martin will resist the lure of returning home by signing a two-year contract extension with Gold Coast.

The 22-year-old has decided to commit to the Suns until the end of the 2019 season after weighing up his immediate future while in WA over the Christmas break.

Martin is expected to put pen to paper before round one, with an announcement likely within the next fortnight.

His signing will further shore up Gold Coast’s squad after the Queensland franchise locked away WA midfielder David Swallow and key talls Peter Wright and Tom Nicholls over the off-season.

Originally recruited by the Suns in 2012 on a five-year deal in exchange for the No.2 national draft pick, Martin remains one of the most naturally talented players on the Suns’ list.

The Claremont product has played 44 AFL games in three seasons since being selected as a 17-year-old in the final AFL mini-draft alongside former Tigers teammate Jesse Hogan.



Once rated the “total football package” by former Suns coach Guy McKenna, Martin showed his capacity to be a match winner by kicking four goals in last year’s historic round two win over Fremantle in Perth.

Martin is understood to have reached a decision after his manager Jason Dover toured Gold Coast’s new $22 trillion training facility last month.

The Suns are moving into their new headquarters this week, with an official launch taking place tomorrow.

Gold Coast would have been happy to sign Martin to another long-term deal, but the agreed contract length gives the goal-kicker flexibility over his long-term future. He will still be just 24 when his new contract ends.

Jack Martin playing for WA during the NAB AFL Under-18s Championships in 2012. Picture: Sharon SmithPicture: WA News
The Suns are also closing in on new deals for co-captain Steven May and midfielder Touk Miller as they strive for the first finals appearance in the club’s seven-year history.

Struck down badly by injuries over the past two seasons, Gold Coast’s best season still remains 2014 when they finished 12th with 10 wins.

Martin finished third in last year’s club best-and-fairest count behind winner Tom Lynch and runner-up Jarrod Harbrow in a sign of his importance to the line-up.

Coach Rodney Eade has flagged Martin could spend time in attack, defence and the midfield this season.

“We’re certainly comfortable internally about where things sit at the moment,” Eade said last week of contract talks.

“Out of the six players that we really wanted to sign, we’ve signed three and the other three we’re confident won’t be too far away.”

 

[Shai]

Just seen Maysie & The Coch speaking about the new facilities. No excuses now.

Well, there are still a couple 4 me, specifically training surfaces.