Malcolm Rosas Jr and Ned Stevens featured in Gold Coast Suns’ VFL practice side
TERRITORIAN Ned Stevens got his first taste of VFL action for the Gold Coast in a match where AFL-listed former Buffaloes star Malcolm Rosas Jr was named in the Suns’ best on the weekend.
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TERRITORIAN Ned Stevens got his first taste of VFL action for the Gold Coast in a match where AFL-listed former Buffaloes star Malcolm Rosas Jr was named in the Suns’ best on the weekend.
The Suns’ VFL squad hosted the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium, and though they went down 9.15 (69) to 5.9 (39) there was plenty to be proud of for the side, including their Territory prospects.
Stevens was one of seven Academy players to get a run out alongside 16 AFL-listed Suns players, including Rosas Jr and Jy Farrar.
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The young gun who is still affiliated with NT Thunder grabbed his first opportunity in a VFL match with both hands, showing signs of what he can become.
“It was good – an exciting time to get out there on the field with those boys,” Stevens told the NT News.
“All the guys got around us Academy boys before and throughout the game to get us involved and though we didn’t get the win it was a good experience.
“I think I went alright. Got pushed around a bit by the bigger bodies but that gave me a good marker for where I need to go.
“Playing at that level will only help me improve so I hope to get a few more VFL games.”
Suns Academy manager Jason Torney was impressed by Stevens’ performance, seeing the young gun as a good character in the club system, who is only growing with each week.
“The results didn’t go our way but we had several good passages of play with seven Academy players getting a chance,” Torney told the NT News.
“Ned hasn’t been exposed to that level before but adapted well and keeps growing.
“He’s a little undersized at VFL level but he leads well, takes good grabs and is a good prospect.
“As he grows will just need to spend a lot of time doing weights in the gym.
“He balanced basketball and AFL through last year and now coming to the Gold Coast he’s immersed himself in the lifestyle here.
“And we’re starting to see the real Ned, a really likeable character.
“He’s still aligned to NT Thunder in NAB League so we will see which Academy or VFL games he lines up in with that exposure being massive for him.
“There are always hurdles with young players in a new environment but he has a good character and good support around him that will help him through.”
Rosas Jr also impressed for the Suns, named in the side’s best by Suns Media in a game where he showed his electric pace and desire to get his hands on the ball.
The former Darwin Buffaloes standout has entered his second year in the Suns AFL system and is looking a prospect to play in the AFL at some stage in the 2021 season.
“Mally showed some electric pace and even some AFL-level traits in his ball use that we will hope to see a bit more often,” Torney said.
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“Anyone on our list is a chance to make our AFL side and with our young list you have to think that the opportunity is there for Mally.
“It’s about his ability to be ready when that opportunity comes.”
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