Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew considering playing three tall forwards despite current AFL trend

GOLD Coast is considering playing three tall forwards early in the season, a set up that would be in stark contrast to most of the competition as small pressure forwards are now in vogue. But new coach Stuart Dew will do things his own way.

Tom Lynch will spearhead Gold Coast’s forward line. Picture: Getty

STUART Dew is proving he will be his own man as a senior coach as he considers bucking the trend and playing three tall forwards.

Most clubs in recent seasons have preferred to play with two big men in the attacking 50m arc and it remains to be seen if Richmond’s premiership success with just the one key forward, Jack Riewoldt, will influence some to adopt a similar tactic.

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But Dew has revealed he planned to play Suns skipper Tom Lynch, Peter Wright and Sam Day in the club’s first JLT match against Geelong in Townsville last week before Wright injured his calf in the final training session before the side flew north.

Tom Lynch will spearhead Gold Coast’s forward line. Picture: Getty

Day performed well in his first match in a year and will get another chance to shine against the Lions at Southport on Sunday.

“We were going to give a bit of a go for Pete and Sam with Tom upfront, it gave us that flexibility,’’ he said.

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“We haven’t said yes or no, we will play around with it no doubt.

“What will it look like, Tom can play a little bit further up the ground, as can Peter because he has that flexibility and Sam can go in the ruck as well so it is going to be tough throwing those magnets around.’’

Sam Day will be given another opportunity to cement his spot in the Suns’ best 22 on Sunday. Picture: Getty

Part of Dew’s thinking may be to provide some relief for Lynch who battles two and sometimes three opponents each week.

While Day has never been a great aerobic athlete like Lynch and Wright and is coming off a year out of the game after dislocating his hip in a JLT match against Brisbane last season which also chipped off a chunk of bone as it was dislodged from the socket, he is naturally more defensive orientated.

Given Dew’s stated aim of ramping up the Suns forward pressure, that is an asset the new coach will look favourably upon.

Originally published as Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew considering playing three tall forwards despite current AFL trend