Matthew Rowell and Anderson put cases forward for Round 1 in Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane practice game

Suns no.1 and 2 draft picks Matthew Rowell and Noah Anderson have put themselves in the frame for a Round 1 AFL debut courtesy of strong performances in Gold Coast’s practice game against Brisbane.

SUNS no.1 and 2 draft picks Matthew Rowell and Noah Anderson have put themselves in the frame for a Round 1 AFL debut courtesy of strong performances in Gold Coast’s practice game against Brisbane.

Slippery conditions on the back of a humid day and slight rainfall led a fast-paced game at Metricon Stadium, where the Lions finished 5.9 (39) to 2.12 (24) winners, to become an arm-wrestle in the contest with little room for strategy and slick ball movement.

But one thing was evident, Rowell looks a ready-made midfield candidate for Round 1 with the top draft pick of 2019 finding plenty of the ball, sure footed, had clean hands and showed good fitness by only getting better as the game went on.

Matt Rowell (left) and Noah Anderson. Picture: Michael Klein

Rowell wasn’t the only draftee to excel, Noah Anderson started on the wing and linked up with Rowell on numerous occasions, had good ball use and showed strong work ethic.

Jeremy Sharp proved why he was a draft slider at 27 with the West Australian a clear standout with his running and accurate kicking.

Sharp may have a harder time clinching a Round 1 spot given Gold Coast’s recruitment of Brandon Ellis and the push of Lachie Weller into a wing role but he looks destined to play some senior football this year.

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Gold Coaster Connor Budarick battled well down back for the Suns, the Labrador junior competing well against the likes of Lions livewire Charlie Cameron, producing good bodywork and rebounding quickly off halfback.

Gold Coast Suns football manager Jon Haines said it appeared all of the club’s 31 players who took part in the game had got through the four quarters of football without injury concerns ahead of further medical checks on Monday.

Izak Rankine, who missed the entire 2019 season with injury, looks ready to make up for lost time.

The exciting forward delivered the highlight of the game with a classy finish on his non-preferred left foot in the second quarter.

Rankine gathered the ball inches from the line but managed to holt himself and snap across his body for a goal.

Ben Ainsworth, Alex Sexton, Darcy Macpherson, Touk Miller were among those to be put on ice at halftime while Jy Farrar, Patrick Murtagh, Jacob Heron, Malcolm Rosas and academy player Hewago Paul Oea featured in the second.