The Bulletin takes a look at five things we learnt from day one of the Gold Coast Suns pre-season

After finishing last in 2019, the Suns returned to training with the intent of improvement. A 2km time trial, 90 minutes of skills and some end of session sprints later, here’s five things we learnt from day one of the Suns pre-season.

After finishing last in 2019, the Suns returned to training with the intent of improvement. A 2km time trial, 90 minutes of skills and some end of session sprints later, here’s five things we learnt from day one of the Suns pre-season.

SUNS ROOKIE’S SURPRISE ADMISSION ON DAY ONE OF PRE-SEASON

1.Old heads eager to make a start

While Monday’s session was only compulsory for 1-4 year players, it was promising to see a number of experienced heads take to the track alongside their younger teammates. Co-captain David Swallow, Touk Miller, Sam Day, Jordan Murdoch and Sean Lemmens were all on hand for the 90 minute skill session in the scorching Gold Coast heat. Second year forward Ben King said of his eager teammates “it speaks volumes of the group we’ve got that everyone is excited to get back and take on next year.”

The Gold Coast Suns player Touk Miller at pre-season training. Picture: Jerad Williams

SEE EVERY PHOTO FROM SUNS’ TRAINING

2. Healthy bodies hit the track

For a club that has been dogged by injury woes for the past few years, it was promising to see only a small number of Suns training away from the main group. Second year player Jez McLennan was seen putting in the hard yards around the boundary after suffering an ankle injury in the final few weeks of the season while Sam Collins looked fighting fit.

Sam Collins handballs during a Gold Coast Suns AFL media and training session at Metricon Stadium on November 04, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

3.Endurance king strikes again

Josh Schoenfeld is undoubtedly the best endurance runner at the club and proved it again by defending his 2km time trial crown in fine fashion. Rookie Jacob Dawson moved up from fourth last year to second while Jesse Joyce put in a strong run to finish third. Both lapped some of the tail enders by the finish. Midfielder Jack Bowes finished fourth place in a much improved run from last season while new recruit Connor Budarick rounded out the top five, proving he has what it takes to match it with the best. Charlie Ballard and Ben Ainsworth both recorded vastly improved times from their 2018 runs.

The Gold Coast Suns player Josh Schoenfeld at pre-season training. Picture: Jerad Williams

THE SIGN BUDARICK IS HERE FOR THE LONG RUN

4. New recruits feel at home

Nicknames are part and parcel of any Aussie rules side so it was nice to see the Suns enshrining some of their youth from the get go. Our favourite was new recruit Matthew Conroy being labelled ‘Sauce,’ largely thanks to his red hair.

The Gold Coast Suns player Matt Conroy at pre-season training. Picture: Jerad Williams

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5. Ball movement a priority

After finishing last for points scored in 2019, it was unsurprising to see the Suns early training focus shift towards ball movement. Players spent around 20 minutes working in teams of three on moving the ball from the half back flank into the forward line while coaches acted as defenders, with a focus on hitting leading targets. It was promising to see the Suns attack through the corridor, albeit there wasn’t a heap of pressure on the ball carrier.

Sam Fletcher handballs during a Gold Coast Suns AFL media and training session at Metricon Stadium on November 04, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)