Seven Sun-ders of the Gold Coast: The young guns to shine as Suns take steps towards first finals
The Gold Coast Suns will be hoping to make their first final under new coach Damien Hardwick. But to break into a hotly-contested top eight, they’ll need some young guns to make new ground. Here are seven candidates to step up for the Suns.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
With a new coach and renewed optimism, Gold Coast is expecting a journey up the ladder in 2024.
But for that to happen, a number of players will be required to step up in their performance, whether it’s becoming a bona fide star or cracking into the best side under Damien Hardwick.
Check out the list of seven Suns that are primed to take their next step into stardom this season.
Sam Flanders
Age: 22
Role: Midfielder
SuperCoach price: $513,400
Unable to lock down a spot in Stuart Dew’s best 22 and often relegated to a small forward role, Flanders finally got his chance at a position in the midfield rotation under Stephen King. He went from averaging 12.5 disposals and 44.3 SuperCoach points in the four games under Dew to 28.9 disposals and 106.1 SuperCoach points in the 10 games under King. Now with his third coach, Damien Hardwick, in less than 12 months, Flanders will need to impress during the match simulation work and practice matches to lock in a midfield role in the new-look Suns outfit.
Alex Davies
Age: 21
Role: Midfield-Forward
SuperCoach price: $306,700
Another midfield prospect at the Suns, Davies managed just nine games in 2023 and struggled to cement a spot inside the engine room. Gold Coast’s preferred rotation of Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell, Touk Miller (when healthy) and Sam Flanders (in the second half of 2023) was obvious, however Hardwick’s coaching style is different to King and Dew’s. Hardwick preferred having midfielders running through the centre and resting forward, often giving eight or more players opportunities to attend centre bounces every week. Davies kicked just one goal in 2023 and set up just three, showing he will need to develop his forward craft in order to really cement a spot in Hardwick’s side. Out of contract at the end of 2024, the 21 year old needs to show promising signs now.
Bailey Humphrey
Age: 19
Role: Midfield-Forward
SuperCoach price: $296,700
The sixth pick from 2022’s AFL draft, Humphrey was a regular in his first season at the Suns. Playing 19 games last season, the big-bodied midfielder earned more responsibilities in the side as the season progressed. After debuting in round 4, Humphrey did not miss another game for the season. Outside of his sub-affected matches, Humphrey had just two games under double-digit disposals, while also kicking 11 goals for the season. The 19 year old has looked fit so far this pre-season and will be one of a handful of young midfielders hopeful of getting more time inside the centre square. His 26 disposals, seven inside 50s, five clearances and one goal in round 11 against Brisbane showed the Suns a glimpse of what Humphrey can do when given a midfield-prominent role in the side.
Mac Andrew
Age: 20
Role: Key defender
SuperCoach price: $279,300
Taken fifth overall in the 2021 draft, Andrew cracked into Gold Coast’s best 22 during the 2023 campaign as a key defender. Having initially been drafted as a ruck/forward prospect, the 202cm Sun got swung back and found a home in defence alongside Sam Collins and Charlie Ballard. As Andrew continues to build out his frame and learn the defensive wares, he would become a point-of-difference in comparison to traditional key defenders, with great athleticism and reach allowing him to pick off intercept marks and start the rebound. Another longer-term prospect that should start to shine now entering his third season in the Suns’ system.
Jake Rogers
Age: 18
Role: Midfielder-Forward
SuperCoach price: $148,800
Not a breakout, but a break-in. Rogers, and his fellow first-rounders in Jed Walter and Ethan Read, aren’t exactly sitting out the back waiting to develop. All three are jostling for starting positions in Gold Coast’s best 23, but Rogers has a slight advantage over the pair of key position prospects as a midfielder. While he measures at just 172cm tall, he is lightning quick, has elite skills already and fantastic tackling pressure; all three key assets loved by new coach Hardwick. While a starting midfield role likely alludes him for 2024, expect Rogers to play early and often. Draft experts compared him to fellow midfielder Touk Miller, as well as one of Hardwick’s favourite former players in Dion Prestia, with both stars standing less than 180cm tall.
Bodhi Uwland
Age: 20
Role: Defender
SuperCoach price: #132,800
Often compared to Luke Hodge in his draft year, Uwland has struggled to crack into Gold Coast’s back half so far in his two years on an AFL list. The 188cm defender has played three games for the Suns, all coming last season, with a round 1 debut and a round 12 game as a substitute. Out of contract at the end of the season, Uwland will need to make inroads into the senior side in order to earn an extension, with a likely battle with Connor Budarick for a medium defender role.
Ned Moyle
Age: 21
Role: Ruck
SuperCoach price: $123,900
The mid-season ruck in 2021 has cracked into the senior side on two occasions, but is still firmly behind Jarrod Witts as the back up to the captain. But with Moyle out of contract at the end of the season and Witts 32 at the end of the season, the Suns could look to blooding the youngster in an effort to fast-track his development. But draftee Ethan Read will likely challenge for the top ruck role at the Suns at the end of Witts’ reign, meaning Moyle will need to continue showing positive signs to keep ahead of the prized recruit. Moyle could be an intriguing trade target for clubs needing a ruck at the end of the season, if he chooses to look elsewhere for opportunities.
Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: League legend quits Triple M radio show
Triple M have found a surprise replacement after ex-NRL star Ryan Girdler quit has role, while the reason why Francis Molo wants to quit the Dragons can be revealed. That and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
Dons track watch: Opening Round hints, ruck roles, Tsatas stars
The Bombers took to the track on Saturday for some match simulation, revealing plenty of hints as to how they might shape up for Opening Round against the Suns. More here.