Gold Coast Suns focusing on a full week of community involvement as their Hawthorn clash looms

Territorians Malcolm Rosas and Joel Jeffrey form a big part of the Gold Coast Suns’ push to reinforce their partnership with the Northern Territory and the AFLNT

Territorians Joel Jeffrey and Malcolm Rosas were among the Gold Coast’s indigenous players who launched the club’s 2021 indigenous AFL guernsey this month. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

GOLD Coast’s second trip to Darwin for an AFL premiership match is another important step in terms of the club’s partnership with the NT, their general manager of football operations Jon Haines said last night.

The Suns (14th) meet fellow cellar dwellers Hawthorn (17th) on Saturday night, May 29 as part of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

“We’re looking forward to wrapping a whole heap of things around the game with our partnership with Darwin and the AFLNT something we’re really proud of and looking to progress,’’ Haines said.

The Suns meet Geelong this week before making the trek north to Darwin for the Round 11 clash at TIO Stadium.

“We were disappointing last week against Brisbane and we had a disappointing (first) half against the Western Bulldogs (in Round 5).

“But outside of that our block of work through the first nine rounds of the season has been pretty solid and we’re seeing some good gains from a consistency point of view and the progress of individual players.’’

And while Haines concedes they “didn’t get it quite right against the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane’’ he says the club took some great lessons out of those games.

“We feel like this week against Geelong and next week against Hawthorn is a really good opportunity to go into the bye with some real momentum,’’ he said.

Haines said Darwin locals Malcolm Rosas and Joel Jeffrey were going really well in terms of preparation and performance.

“Mally (Rosas) made his debut last week in what was a fantastic moment for him and his family,’’ he added.

“To have his mum and his dad here to present his jumper was one of the better presentations for a first game player, it was just terrific.

“Mally’s made huge gains in his time at the club and from a development perspective he’s really learning and beginning to understand what’s required from a preparation point of view.

“So he’s on the right path and likewise with Joelly. He played his best game for the club last week in the VFL where he kicked five goals and had six shots.

“He’s making great progress from week to week and working very closely with our development staff where he’s shown he’s really committed.’’