Gold Coast 2018 season review: Bad one day, horrible the next

Mick Stirling

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Gold Coast 2018 season review: Bad one day, horrible the next image

Finished: 17th
Won: Four
Lost: 18
Drew: None
Percentage: 59.9%

Leading goalkicker: Alex Sexton (28)
Leading possession winner: Touk Miller (485)
Likely B&F: Jarryd Lyons
Best first year player: Brayden Crossley
Most improved: Jack Bowes
Biggest drop off: Jack Leslie

MORE: Carlton 2018 review: I guess that's why they call it the Blues


What went right?

Um, that’s a really tough question.

They were undefeated and sitting in third spot after the opening two rounds, and a victory in the first QClash had them three wins from five starts, but it was all downhill from there.

High-priced recruit Lachie Weller didn't set the world on fire, but he did steadily improve through the season and will be a big part of the future, if there is one.

Highlight: Beating Sydney at the SCG in round eighteen, 12.16 (88) to 8.16 (64)


What went wrong?

Gold Coast’s year was arguably worse than Carlton’s, even though it was coming from a similarly low base and finished up winning twice as many matches.

Injury ravaged the Suns in 2016 and 2017, to the point where they barely had 22 fit players to choose from at times, so they started this season with some sort of belief that a change in luck would bring a change in results.

It didn’t.

The fact they didn’t get a chance to play a home game at Metricon Stadium until round 11 didn’t help, but then they didn’t win any at the venue anyway, so maybe it was a blessing in disguise.

Things got worse the longer Tom Lynch dragged out contract negotiations and no one was surprised – but everyone was angry – when he finally told them he’s leaving.

And the pain still isn’t over as they sweat on Steven May’s possible request for a trade.

Ah, the Gold Coast – terrible one day, even worse the next.

Lowlight: Lynch announcing he’s out the door.


In the gun

Not too many Suns should be happy with what they produced this year, but the club simply can’t afford a cleanout. 

Veterans Michael Rischitelli and Michael Barlow are out of contract and likely to be let go – ‘Rischi’ on form and Barlow due to continuing injury troubles - Kade Kolodjashnij may pull the pin with his concussion issues.

Jesse Lonergan and Jack Leslie did little to inspire the club to put any new paperwork in front of them.

Former Eagle Matt Rosa announced his retirement earlier in the year.


What they need

Stars of any sort.

The Suns have got ‘good-ordinary players’ as Jack Dyer would have said, but they need the top end talent, and with Gary Ablett leaving last year and Lynch (and possibly May) this year, there’s not even a reason to go watch Gold Coast play, let alone expect them to win.

The engine room has some solid footballers in it; David Swallow, Jarrod Lyons, Touk Miller and Lachie Weller are all decent and have Jack Martin, Jack Bowes, Ben Ainsworth and Brayden Fiorini all pushing to get regular midfield starts.

But a couple of stars are needed. Out-of-contract Swan Jake Lloyd would be a good start.

Current 2018 draft picks: 2, 17, 26, 29, 38, 41, 74. Also a possible first-round priority pick.

Next year

The Suns have got enough draft picks that they could trade for quality experience for an immediate boost up the ladder, which would aid them to then keep young talent in town.

However, talking anyone beyond a fading star looking for an inflated final contract into moving north could prove impossible.

It’s hard to see Stuart Dew having the cattle with which to turn things around just yet.

2019 ladder prediction: 18th

Mick Stirling