Gold Coast Suns club champion predictions

THE Gold Coast Suns will present their eighth club champion award this Saturday and it’s one of their foundation players who is in the box seat to win the title. The Bulletin predicts the top five finishing order for award.

Steven May of the Suns (third from left) reacts after the Round 23 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Gold Coast Suns at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, Saturday, August 25, 2018. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith.

THE Gold Coast Suns will present their eighth club champion award this Saturday and it’s one of their foundation players who is in the box seat to win the title.

Only members of Gold Coast’s first batch of players won the award, with Gary Ablett (2011, 2012, 2013, 2017), David Swallow (2014) and Tom Lynch (2015, 2016) all being named the club’s best and fairest.

Ablett is gone and Lynch is poised to follow but inaugural Sun Jarrod Harbrow looks destined to keep the tradition going after another great year.

The Bulletin predicts the top five finishing order for the Gold Coast Suns 2018 club champion award.

1.

NAME: Jarrod Harbrow

AGE: 30

GAMES IN 2018: 22

COMMENT: You could all but lock in Harbrow as one of Gold Coast’s best before the first bounce of each game. The halfback, who is as tough as he is quick, is the most reliable player on the Suns list, producing for the side every round. Harbrow consistently gets the Suns out of trouble with his ability to weave his way through contests while he can break lines and get the team going forward. Miller was runner-up in the voting in 2016 behind Tom Lynch and 2018 looks to be his best chance at becoming club champion yet.

Jarrod Harbrow of the Suns (right) kicks the ball during the Round 21 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Richmond Tigers at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, Saturday, August 11, 2018. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England.

2.

NAME: Touk Miller

AGE: 22

GAMES IN 2018: 22

COMMENT: The gutsy midfielder put together another impressive season for the Suns. Miller averaged 22 disposals, 5 clearances and 6 tackles across his 22 games while successfully shutting down some of the best midfielders in the AFL in what became a new role for the leader. Miller finished eighth in the voting last year but could sneak into second after taking further steps forward in 2018.

Touk Miller of the Suns handpasses the ball under pressure during the Round 20 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG in Melbourne, Sunday, August 5, 2018. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett.

3.

NAME: David Swallow

AGE: 25

GAMES IN 2018: 20

COMMENT: The bull of the Suns midfield led from the front again in 2018. Swallow is one of the most popular players both in and outside of the club because of his physicality and selflessness.

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Similar to Harbrow, the midfielder rarely goes a game without being named among Gold Coast’s best. Swallow willingness to put his head over the ball, no matter how big the margin is against the Suns, is the example the club’s youngest players need to follow if the club is to improve.

David Swallow of the Suns kicks during the round 22 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on August 18, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

4.

NAME: Jarrod Witts

AGE: 25

GAMES IN 2018: 22

COMMENT: One of the most influential recruits ever to come to the Suns. Witts put together a second successful season together for Gold Coast. Many were surprised not to see his name among the top 10 in last year’s Club Champion voting but it’s hard to see Witts being overlooked in 2018.

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The 208cm ruckman’s average of 39 hit-outs per game was the third highest in the AFL this season. He always put the Suns in the contest from centre bounces and stoppages.

Jarrod Witts of the Suns in action during the Round 21 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Richmond Tigers at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, Saturday, August 11, 2018. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England.

5.

NAME: Lachie Weller

AGE: 22

GAMES IN 2018: 22

COMMENT: One of the most intriguing players for the Suns in 2018. Weller was quiet in the early stages of the season. He played his role but it was from around midway through the year that Weller started to influence games. The former Fremantle player showed his pace, broke lines and provided the acceleration from stoppages the Suns needed in the later stages of the season.

Lachie Weller of the Suns handballs during the round 19 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Carlton Blues at Metricon Stadium on July 28, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.