As the Suns head south to take on the GIANTS in Sydney, we take a look at all the news from the Gold Coast with both sides searching for their first win of the season.
While the GIANTS got off to a disappointing start in round one, the Suns were also left reeling after a shock two-point loss to the Lions last weekend.
The Suns got off to a slow start but showed what they are capable of after half-time, kicking 11 of the last 15 goals.
The fellow expansion club will be forced into at least one change for Saturday afternoon’s clash with Pearce Hanley heading home to Ireland for family reasons.
Matt Shaw shapes as a possible like-for-like swap for Hanley with the half-back flanker the emergency for round one and withdrawn from a NEAFL practice match after one quarter.
Highly-touted midfielder David Swallow is another possible inclusion, with the West Australian a late withdrawal from the round one side after rolling an ankle at training.
According to goldcoastfc.com.au, if the 2014 Club Champion can get through Thursday’s main training session, expect him to be named to face the GIANTS.
The battle between GIANTS ruckman Shane Mumford and Gold Coast recruit Jarrod Witts looms as a key factor in deciding the match between the AFL’s two newest clubs.
The former Magpie - and local Sydneysider - won the hit-out count in his Suns debut, but was beaten around the ground by Lion Stef Martin.
Witts described it as a ‘solid start’, but admitted there was significant room for improvement.
“Obviously I would’ve liked to have done a bit better, but I thought it was a solid start,” Witts told the media on Tuesday afternoon.
The 209cm, 111kg big man said he was looking forward to the battle against the GIANTS’ Mummy.
“It’s awesome to play quality players early as well, you can really see where you’re at and what you need to improve on so I’ll be thriving to get out there against Mumford,” Witts said.
“I’ve had a few battles with him in the past so I’m really looking forward to getting out there and playing against him. Obviously he’s quite strong and quite physical so first things first, try and match him there.
“Depending on how the game’s going, potentially get forward and just try and follow up and have an influence around the ball.”
Suns Assistant Coach Matthew Primus fronted the media on the Gold Coast on Monday and said he was looking forward to the midfield match-up and bouncing back against the GIANTS.
Gary Ablett, Touk Miller and Aaron Hall found plenty of footy against the Lions, and the midfield battle with Dylan Shiel, Josh Kelly and Callan Ward will be one to watch.
“We’re really focused on what we’re going to do, how we play the game,” Primus said.
“We were really happy with it for three quarters, we just weren’t happy enough with that first 20 minutes.
“We think our midfield certainly generated enough opportunities and our forwards certainly capitalised, but we didn’t capitalise enough so look it’s going to be all over the park.
“But we know it starts with the midfield and we’ve got to make sure our midfield are on song not only from the start but as the game keeps going along and we’re away from home so it’s a different proposition.”
