Squad Breakdown: Gold Coast Suns SC roster analysis

• BARGAIN BUYS: Assessing the midfield cheapie crop
• STRATEGY FOCUS: How to attack your Round 1 team

You get the feeling this is Stuart Dew’s last chance at the helm of the Suns, especially with master technician Alastair Clarkson waiting in the wings for a new gig next year. 

They have had a treacherous run with injury over the years, and this year is no different with Ben King going down with an ACL injury in pre-season training, joining Jack Bowes in the medical room. 

King is out for the season and a tough pill for Dew to swallow who really needs to get his winning strike rate up from 22.5%, which is surprisingly worse than McKenna and Eade’s record in charge of the Suns. 

Only a surprise finals appearance will save his job, and for that to happen we’d need to see breakout years from players such as Noah Anderson, and significant improvement from their fringe players. I can’t see it happening unfortunately.

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Roster changes

Mabior Chol moved up north from Richmond seeking greater opportunity and Ben King’s injury gives him just that. 

He should now be the main man inside forward 50 and provide much needed ruck support to Jarrod Witts.

Levi Casboult was delisted by Carlton after 12 seasons with them, but with retirement beckoning he was thrown a lifeline by the Suns and taken at pick 3 in the rookie draft. 

As with Chol, he should get plenty of opportunities in the forward line to add to his 156 career goals.

Charlie Constable, a 23-year-old previously at Geelong, is another player who has moved to the Suns in the off-season seeking greater opportunity. 

He showed glimpses at the Cats but was never really given a go with their Dad’s Army philosophy. 

He dominated games in the VFL and should now get his chance to shine in the AFL. He will still need to earn his spot in this Suns midfield which has some depth.

B: Jy Farrar, Sam Collins, Connor Budarick
HB: Wil Powell, Charlie Ballard, Sean Lemmens
C: Brandon Ellis, Noah Anderson, Jeremy Sharp
HF: Ben Ainsworth, Jack Lukosius, David Swallow
F: Izak Rankine, Josh Corbett, Mabior Chol

Foll: Jarrod Witts, Matt Rowell, Touk Miller
I/C:  Jack Bowes, Charlie Constable, Brayden Fiorini, Lachie Weller

Emerg: Caleb Graham, Alex Sexton, Nick Holman

Injury concerns: Jack Bowes, Ben King (season)

Draftees: Mac Andrew (Pick 5), Charlie Constable (Pick 63)

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Guns

Touk Miller // $677,800 // Midfield

A running machine who gets to every contest, uses the ball very well and tackles hard. 

He took his game from being a tagger to becoming one of the premier midfielders of the competition. 

He had only three sub 100 scores last year and they all came in the first five rounds! 

A season average of 124.5 is brilliant, but if you think the Suns will win more games this time around, he averaged 142 in wins. That’s Gary Ablett Junior territory…  

He should get more clearances and a little points boost with Jarrod Witts returning to the ruck. 

If you can afford him and it fits your team structure, get him in. You won’t be disappointed, and you’ll have a reliable captaincy option each week.

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Matt Rowell // $342,900 // Midfield

Took the competition by storm in his debut year in 2020 before injury struck. 

He had a shoulder reconstruction and then a PCL knee injury last season, oddly both injuries being sustained whilst being tackled which is terribly unlucky. 

He seems to be enjoying a full pre-season and had no issues getting the ball, and hitting the scoreboard, in a recent intra-club match. 

His floor is good barring any injury affected scores and his ceiling is massive as he’s scored a 171 in the past. You will need a 95 average to earn you $150k for starting him to be considered a win, but I think he does that. 

One of those risk reward picks that can set you apart from the pack.  A good gamble if you like playing that way in a mid-range price bracket.

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Bargain-bin buys

Charlie Constable // $213,400 // Midfield

As above, Constable has been given a lifeline by the Suns and is still only 23 years-of-age, but does he fit into the best 22? 

The Suns midfield is strong with Miller, Anderson, Rowell, Fiorini, Swallow, Weller and potentially Bowes when he returns from injury all running through there. 

If he gets his chance he can score well and demand holding his place.  He averaged 80 in his first year at Geelong and I can see him doing that this year if given the opportunity. 

He absolutely dominated the VFL before being called off last season.

Elijah Hollands // $123,900 // Midfield/Forward

Touted as a potential No.1 draft pick who went at No.7 due to injury, he was on the AFL Fantasy podcast stating he’s been training with the midfield group all pre-season, and is hopeful to play round 1. 

Hollands recently signed a new two-year deal, so the Suns obviously have faith in him. 

He didn’t play at all last season due to an ACL injury, but he’s an absolute lock if named as we can select him as a forward, where rookies are thin. 

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James Tsitas // $102,400 // Midfield

A mature age recruit who left Geelong’s VFL team, where he was captain, during the pandemic shutdown in Victoria in search of regular football. 

He ended up in South Australia where he shared the Magarey Medal with Bryce Gibbs and led them to the Premiership. 

He was then invited to train with the Suns where he won the last spot on their list over Nathan Freeman.

It’s a story of determination and I expect him to be given his chance at some stage. 

Whether he’s a starter or a downgrade option all comes down to how involved he is in the upcoming practice matches.

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Avoids

Brayden Fiorini // $551,600 // Midfield

Fiorini is the second most expensive Sun who averaged 101.3 last season in nine matches. 

Hopefully he’s got his body right and he can attack the season full of confidence, however, considering he’s more expensive than Lachie Neale it’s a clear avoid. 

He’s obviously injury prone and there are just so many better options at that price point, please don’t entertain it.

Jarrod Witts // $380,300 // Ruck

Vitally important to this side with his experience and he’s a very capable ruck. 

He should improve the players around him by providing some first use which they lacked last season. 

He’s gone close to averaging 100 points in the past, but has never done it, and I don’t see it happening coming off a knee reconstruction in his 10^th season.