Top 10 reasons why the Gold Coast Suns finished last in the AFL in 2019 — Part one

The Gold Coast Suns have endured another rough season and claimed the wooden spoon. So what are the contributing factors that led to the Suns winning just three AFL games in 2019?In a two-part series, we count down the 10 reasons why Gold Coast failed to deliver more results on field.

THE Gold Coast Suns have endured another rough season and claimed the wooden spoon.

So what are the contributing factors that led to the Suns winning just three AFL games in 2019?

In a two-part series, we count down the 10 reasons why Gold Coast failed to deliver more results on field.

10. YOUTH: The Suns have an incredibly young group. Fact. The lack the experience, particularly in key moments, and the physical conditioning to match it with the rest of the league week in and week out. Their knowledge of the game is also still developing and it affects their decision making and how they react to situations on the ground. Simply, more time will help and the early blooding of young players will fast-track their development.

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9. LACK OF SYNERGY: The group haven’t spent years playing alongside each other like other sides. The backline was hindered by injury, meaning players were shifted into other positions, the club gave more opportunity to the likes of Brayden Fiorini, Jack Bowes and Darcy Macpherson and a host of others in the midfield and a host of new recruits came into the club. The knowledge of how and where a player likes to receive the ball and their likely first action is something they are still learning, making it easier for teams to break them down.

Michael Rischitelli of the Suns (centre) runs out with his kids for his final game during the round 23 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Metricon Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

8. TALENT DEFICIT: By their own measurements the Sun have no ‘A-graders’ on their list. They believe some of the current group can develop into that category but there are none in the top echelon right now. Every successful team has multiple players in that category in their side. How do they change this? Keep drafting high-end prospects and show enough to convince players from other clubs they are worth taking a chance on and signing with. As it stands, they are not an attractive proposition for the latter.

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7. RECRUITMENT: Gold Coast made it their priority to bring in mature-age talent to help their young group at the end of last year and the AFL gave them access to three state-league players too. The off-field contributions are hard to measure externally but there would have been some benefits to their presence but did they add enormous value in terms of their impact on field? It seems minimal. They were brought in to act as foils and shoulder some of the physical work but they need to continue improving the quality of guys coming in.

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6. LOSING TOP-END PLAYERS: There is no doubt losing co-captains Tom Lynch and Steven May, and even Jarryd Lyons hurt Gold Coast this year. Lynch was the biggest loss while the club was more open to May’s exit. The salary cap influenced Gold Coast’s decision to let Lyons move on but while there are logical reasons behind the departures, the fact is the quality that has gone out hasn’t been matched by those coming in. It’s been a problem at the Suns for numerous years and over a period of time can really hinder the club.

Read the final five reasons behind the Suns struggles tomorrow.

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