Gold Coast Suns face ‘looming disaster in every direction’

IT is never a good sign when two directors, a CEO and a footy manager sit in on a post-match press conference, but such is the pressure mounting on the Gold Coast Suns.

Gary Ablett looks dejected as he walks from the field after defeat in the round two AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Gold Coast Suns. Picture: Mark Metcalfe

NEW Gold Coast Suns CEO Mark Evans sees looming disaster in every direction he faces.

The footy side is stuck in an endless loop of underachievement.

The club is broke and have been unable to find a major sponsor to replace FIAT for this season.

They have completely dropped the ball in their planning for the China game. Even without the lucky red jumpers or the world’s best beaches to sell, it is Port Adelaide with their full calendar of activities that has made the critical first impression over there.

And membership and crowd numbers continue their snail’s pace.

As each day passes it looks more likely that, despite the Suns’ denials, Evans was an AFL plant to stop a $100m investment from being swept down the Nerang River.

Like an archaeologist, he must dig through everything that has occurred since the club was founded to get to the bottom of why a glass ceiling and acceptance of mediocrity has settled over the place.

Coach Rodney Eade knows he is under pressure. It is never a good sign when two directors, a CEO and a footy manager sit in on a post-match press conference.

It was under such scrutiny that Eade declared “a lot can change in a week.” And he’s right, if the desire to force change burns within everyone in the organisation.

Unfortunately not much has changed in six years. The results certainly haven’t.

Eade’s game plan is sound and, on their day, the Suns can look like world beaters. They tell us the players are finally fit.

Yet his public defence that his payers were “burning” after the GWS loss rang as a half truth.

No doubt the players were stung. By the scoreboard.

However it’s their actions from the day they walked into the place right up until the final siren put a temporary ceasefire to the latest slaughter that should leave them feeling embarrassed.

Marcus Ashcroft’s performance should also be reviewed.

Suns head coach Rodney Eade must be feeling the pressure. Picture: Mark Metcalfe

Then finally, when Evans has nutted out how to arrest the club’s slide, he must instigate real growth.

I see the evidence of footy’s growth on the Gold Coast. A note came home from school this term advising parents there would be no rugby league side in the inter-school sports this year because of a lack of numbers.

The Aussie Rules side is chockers.

The Suns have to turn these kids and their families into members.

We’ve heard from day one, and AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan sprouts this also, that once success comes so will the fans.

GWS’s continued struggles with crowds are proof that’s not a cast iron guarantee.

Instead of hoping to one day be the flavour of the month, the Suns must become a permanent fixture on the region’s menu.