Southport Sharks and (Gold Coast) Bears links with the Suns

[Matchu]

The one thing every expansion team wants is history but unfortunately it's not something you can buy. My club is lucky to have history prior to entering the AFL but most other expansion clubs aren't in that boat. Interestingly, the Gold Coast does have a history in the AFL competition through the Bears. I thought it would be interesting to look at some of the links between the Bears and Suns while also acknowledging links with the Southport Sharks. All three clubs have been considerable contributors to Gold Coast football over the years. This may give Suns supporters a greater sense of football history on the Gold Coast. I won't include Bears history from 1993 onward as they were no longer based on the Gold Coast.

Carrara Stadium
The obvious link between the Bears and the Suns is Carrara Stadium. The Bears played out of Carrara for six seasons between 1987-1992. The Suns are now entering their sixth AFL season at Carrara but have actually been based at the stadium since late 2008. The Southport Sharks have also played many matches at Carrara, including several QAFL Grand Finals.

Marcus Ashcroft
Perhaps the strongest link between the three clubs. A Southport junior that was zoned to the Bears in 1988 and went on to become a triple premiership AFL player. Apparently there is an Ashcroft Jr in the Gold Coast academy so the link may be strengthened soon.

Rodney Eade
Originally a Hawthorn player, Eade began playing with the Bears in 1988. He began coaching in 1991 and took the Bears reserves to a premiership. Rocket returned to the Gold Coast in 2015 as the head coach of the Suns.

Scott Clayton
Scotty Clayton began his recruiting career with the Bears in 1991. He returned to the Gold Coast in 2008 and works in the recruiting department for the Suns.

Geoff Raines-Andrew Raines
Geoff Raines began playing with the Bears in 1987 and spent several years playing on the Gold Coast before he retired. His son, Andrew, was a Southport junior that was drafted by Richmond in 2003. He requested a trade to the Brisbane Lions in 2009. He finished his career with the Suns in 2015 and now works for the Suns in the academy department.

Brett Thompson-Rory Thompson
Brett is considered one of the greatest Sharks of all time and was involved in several premierships as both a player and a coach. His son, Rory, was zoned to the Suns in 2009 and has been with the club from the very start.

Matthew Kennedy
A Southport junior who was zoned to the Bears in 1989. He has worked for the Suns for several years now and works in the fitness department.

Corey Bell
Another Southport junior who was zoned to the Bears in 1990. He has worked for the Suns for several years now and works in the community development area.

Dr Alan McKenzie
Dr Alan McKenzie has served as the President of the Southport Sharks since 1974. He also worked in the Bears medical department and was on the selection panel through the 90s. He is a QAFL Hall of Famer and currently serves the Suns on their board of directors.

Norm Dare
Norm Dare is widely considered the greatest coach of the Southport Sharks. He coached the Sharks to many premierships and even coached the Bears in 1990. Dare now works on match day activities for the Suns.

Can you think of any other links? Anything more to add about the links above? Let's talk about it.

 

[Matchu]

Looking back on history you'll find the Bears spent six seasons on the GC before packing up their bags and permanently moving to the Gabba. The Suns are now entering their sixth season in the AFL so I thought it would be interesting to compare the two to date:

Bears 1987-1992
1987: 6-16
1988: 7-15
1989: 8-14
1990: 4-18
1991: 3-19
1992: 4-1-17
Total: 32-1-99

Suns 2011-2016
2011: 3-19
2012: 3-19
2013: 8-14
2014: 10-12
2015: 4-1-17
2016: ???
Total: 28-1-81

So the Suns need at least five wins in 2016 to better the Bears GC record. Interestingly, it took the Bears nine seasons to reach the finals for the first time. Given both clubs were expansion sides, I thought it would be interesting to compare a full strength 2016 Suns side to the Bears side that first competed in the finals in 1995.

Roger Merrett (296 games, 35yo)
Andrew Bews (246 games, 31yo)
Scott McIvor (184 games, 29yo)
Michael McLean (177 games, 30yo)
Craig Lambert (152 games, 26yo)
Marcus Ashcroft (127 games, 23yo)
Adrian Fletcher (107 games, 25yo)
Andrew Gowers (107 games, 26yo)
Richard Champion (94 games, 27yo)
Gilbert McAdam (92 games, 28yo)
Shaun Hart (82 games, 24yo)
Darryl White (68 games, 22yo)
Michael Voss (55 games, 20yo)
Matthew Clarke (44 games, 21yo)
Nathan Chapman (43 games, 20yo)
Nigel Lappin (36 games, 19yo)
Chris Scott (33 games, 19yo)
Justin Leppitsch (25 games, 19yo)
Craig McCrae (23 games, 21yo)
Jason Akermanis (17 games, 18yo)
Trent Bartlett (8 games, 18yo)
Total: 2016 games
Average: 96 games, 24y 141d

So you can see there was a good mix of experienced veterans, solid players in their physical prime and talented youngsters who lacked experience. The Bears/Lions then went on to play in eight finals series over the following nine years. So how do the current Suns compare to those numbers? Let's go on the best 22 Fox Sports named yesterday for the Suns:

B: Harbrow (163g, 27yo), May (71g, 23yo), Kolodjashnij (40g, 20yo)
HB: Saad (16g, 21yo), Thompson (65g, 24yo), Malceski (192g, 31yo)
C: Rosa (168g, 29yo), Swallow (79g, 23yo), Martin (23g, 20yo)
HF: Hall (61g, 25yo), Lynch (80g, 23yo), O'Meara (44g, 21yo)
F: Matera (74g, 23yo), Day (78g, 23yo), Grant (81g, 26yo)
Fol: Nicholls (30g, 23yo), Ablett (274g, 31yo), Prestia (81g, 23yo)
IC: Rischitelli (199g, 29yo), Miller (22g, 19yo), Ah Chee (0g, 18yo), McKenzie (92g, 23yo)
Total: 1933 games
Average: 87.86 games, 23y 313d

By the end of the 2016 home and away season I suspect you'll see the average age and games played at the Suns to be almost identical to the '95 Bears. It's fair to say the team is no longer young or inexperienced.