Suns in the Media - Part II

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Thats so crazy. Geez teenagers are looking older and older than they should these days.
She's one of those once in a generation freak athletes that are just good at everything. She led her school to a national U17 basketball title last year and was top scorer/best on in the Grand Final, she finished second in the national U15 ironwoman final in 2022 and of course she dominated in the U18 AFL National Championships last year and was given All-Australian honours just a few days after her 16th birthday.
 
Dunno how to post it here but the Jed vs Flatpack video on the Suns Facebook had me LOL'ing.

"Will, Will, Will, where's Will?" 🤣


I've got a sneaking suspicion Walter might be a bit of a himbo.
 


I've got a sneaking suspicion Walter might be a bit of a himbo.

Haha maybe. Or he's just a typical 18 year old sports head, who's mum probably does everything for him. I'd put money on that being the first time he had assembled Flatpack!

He was so chuffed at the end with what he made to haha.
 

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Jed Walter from the Gold Coast Suns joined Matt Nevett on Breakfast and covered a lot of topics including what they've learnt from new coach Damian Hardwick and how the Suns are tracking under a new system.

 


That's great news. As an Essendon fan we have been through about 6 coaches since matty knights in 2007 and its always been a massive frustration of mine that not one has ever been able to address our terrible team defence. In my opinion it's the core, most important element of any premiership team (the zone and pressure combination).

The other elements are much easier to get over time, when the midfield and forward line get better chemistry and when you have better ball users filter into the team.

Anyhow, that's really significant over one pre season and bodes well for a sharp rise up the ladder soon.
 
Salary caps and drafts – plus extraordinary recruiting concessions – are supposed to stop dynasties in the AFL.

But even with expansion, some clubs have outsmarted the equalisation system. The Brisbane Lions were first to build a dynasty this century with three successive premierships from four consecutive grand finals. Then came Geelong, with three flags in five years between 2007-2011.

Hawthorn came from the bottom of the ladder under coach Alastair Clarkson, claiming the cup four times from 2008-2013. Richmond ended their misery with coach Damien Hardwick completing the club’s 10-year vision with three premierships from 2017-2020.
Dynasties still happen.

It may not be obvious, but Gold Coast are on the doorstep to greatness. The Suns are rising to build the next AFL dynasty.
Hardwick wisely deserted Richmond and arrived at the much-mocked expansion club with his impressive resume during the summer. He is poised to potentially become the AFL’s greatest coach in the modern era by adding to his three-flag collection.

With all the Suns have been handed to win the AFL’s battle north of the Murray, it is realistic that Hardwick can claim another two or three premierships. This would put him alongside legendary coaches Jock McHale and Norm Smith.
Last week, Hardwick sent a shockwave through the AFL by making a decisive blow at the selection table – he axed seven players.


It was a bold call considering the Suns’ promising start to the season, marked by victories against Richmond and Adelaide, albeit followed by a stumble against the Western Bulldogs in round three.
Such a significant overhaul after just three games is typically associated with a team grappling with injury crises or undergoing a late-season overhaul to focus on playing the kids. However, this particular ploy carries a different tone.


Hardwick’s bold action, backed by the resolute voice of chairman Bob East demanding a maiden finals appearance, signals a clear intent – the Suns mean business. The rest of the competition should take heed, for a new force is emerging with formidable aspirations.
Hardwick’s selection bombshell put seasoned veterans such as Brandon Ellis and Levi Casboult out of the seniors. The Suns’ games record holder, David Swallow, was relegated to the substitute role.

Additionally, senior figures Alex Sexton, Rory Atkins and Ben Long were also culled in the shake-up.
Three debutants – Will Graham, Sam Clohesy and Ethan Read – were trusted. Of the trio, Read stands as the most intriguing. While officially listed as a ruckman, he can also play as a key forward or on a wing. A physical marvel boasting elite endurance, he is capable of running two kilometres in just six minutes.

Despite a 28-point loss to GWS, it was clear that Hardwick’s daring decisions had an immediate result away from the scoreboard. The Suns challenged the Giants, the current premiership favourites, for three quarters before fading in the final stretch.

Clohesy made an emphatic statement with his 22 disposals and one goal. His composure and skill suggest he is destined for a long, 200-plus-game career.

Another standout was 20-year-old key defender Mac Andrew, making his first appearance of the season. Andrew showcased his marking prowess across half-back, taking six intercept grabs and earning eight votes from the coaches.
The return of powerful midfielder Bailey Humphrey, the sixth pick in the 2022 national draft, added further depth and a dynamic touch to the Suns’ line-up. He has been recovering from a shoulder injury.
Jed Walter, the second call in last year’s national draft, continued to show promise in his second game. His blend of size and athleticism draws comparisons to Carlton’s Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow, and coupling him next to Ben King in attack is imposing.
Hardwick’s might have been underestimating when he claimed last year he had 80 per cent of a premiership side at Gold Coast.

There is not another team in the league that can make seven changes and seamlessly introduce highly talented first-year players who are poised to make an immediate impression. This reality must be deflating for clubs such as Essendon, Adelaide, St Kilda, Fremantle and West Coast, who now face daunting tasks catching up to such a wealth of talent. It’s a hopeless situation for those clubs.
Consider the disparity: West Coast have just one top-10 draftee (Harley Reid) on their playing roster, while Gold Coast secured two (Read and Walter) last year. The gulf in talent acquisition is stark.

Compounding the frustration for rival teams is the core group of established players already at Gold Coast, all hitting their prime together. This combination of emerging stars and seasoned campaigners points to a formidable combination that sets the Suns apart from the rest.

The AFL has granted the Suns advantages through draft concessions and academy systems alongside an exceptionally favourable fixture – the easiest draw among all 18 teams

But the league may have been blinded to the consequences. The prospect of a non-Victorian team with a tiny supporter base regularly featuring on grand final day and clinching multiple premierships is a disaster for the league.

The Suns, with their riches of young talent and growing superstars, are on the brink of a meteoric rise. This is a warning to all: prepare yourselves, for the Suns are ready to unleash a new era of dominance in the AFL.
 

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