AFL 25: Callum Dick names his Gold Coast team of the century so far

The Suns have been starved of success since their AFL debut, but there’s no denying the level of talent that has come through the Gold Coast’s doors. Callum Dick names their team of the century.

As a club the Gold Coast Suns have been starved of success but over their first 14 seasons in the AFL the level of talent that has walked through the doors is undeniable.

The Suns’ early history is littered with superstar talent that left the Glitter Strip in search of success elsewhere but in recent years the club has managed to lock down its best and brightest.

Twelve of Damien Hardwick’s current squad feature in our Team of the Century, which boasts an almost unfathomable amount of midfield depth.

Gary Ablett Jr is arguably the greatest player of the modern AFL era and he was in his prime during the early years on the Gold Coast. Imagine for a moment the terrifying prospect of a midfield rotation featuring he, Touk Miller, Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell, Dion Prestia and Jaeger O’Meara – with Sam Flanders rotating through for good measure.

This spine would be truly terrifying to play against, with rock-solid key posts Steven May and Sam Collins locking down the defensive end while Ben King and Tom Lynch run riot in the forward half.

Among the most talented players to ever grace the Suns’ list, Izak Rankine and Harley Bennell would run riot on the half-forward flanks ahead of bona fide goalkicking small forwards Alex Sexton and Brandon Matera.

Stuart Dew leads the Suns’ best team. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

In this side Charlie Ballard could return to that third tall role that made him one of the best intercept defenders in the league only two seasons ago, and with the likes of Jarrod Harbrow, Lachie Weller and Wil Powell at his feet the Suns would be flush with elite kicking talent exiting defensive 50.

Given Gold Coast’s relative infancy compared to all other clubs not named GWS there was not a backlog of superstar players banging down the door for a place in this starting 23.

Though among the most-capped players in club history, the likes of Sam Day, Sean Lemmens and Ben Ainsworth have neither hit the heights nor had the consistency to be considered here.

The same can be said for prodigious talents such as Jack Lukosius and Jack Martin, who at their best would walk into this side but failed to hit that high watermark regularly.

Originally published as AFL 25: Callum Dick names his Gold Coast team of the century so far