McGuane’s mid-season report card: C+ for the Suns, but away horrors will cost them finals

Dimma, we have a problem. When the optimism at the Suns was at its highest, its achilles heel may have ended their finals hopes again. Mick McGuane grades their season so far.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 16: Damien Hardwick, Senior Coach of the Suns looks on during the round one AFL match between Gold Coast Suns and Adelaide Crows at People First Stadium, on March 16, 2024, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Damien Hardwick’s first season at the Suns has had its ups and downs with hopes of finals possibly broken by a poor away record.

Mick McGuane rates their first half of the season.

MICK’S MID-SEASON REPORT RATING: C+

Damien Hardwick has a problem.

His Suns’ side is a totally different team on the road to what they are at home.

Until they can master their demons of getting on a plane and winning games interstate, this side can’t be taken seriously as a finals contender.

Within the comforts of Carrara, Gold Coast has gone 5-0 this season.

It has also gone 2-0 from two impressive home games in Darwin.

But from six other games outside of those two venues, the Suns are 0-6.

That’s a big challenge for Hardwick to turn around.

Venues aside, Gold Coast is doing a lot right overall this season.

Gold Coast’s away record is holding them back. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Until last week’s poor performance against St Kilda, the Suns were regularly showing a willingness to take the game on going forward and create a forward-half game.

They rank sixth for both time in forward half differential and inside 50 differential.

However, how they use the ball going inside-50 is still a room for improvement.

When you have a forward line that includes Ben King, Jack Lukosius and Jed Walter, you should be taking more than 10 marks inside-50 a game – ranked 16th in the competition.

The midfielders must work to make better decisions entering the arc and the forwards need to get greater isolation to generate more one-on-one opportunities in a bid to improve the scoring profile.

Lukosius has more to give in the second half of the season, having kicked just 12 goals from 13 games after booting 40 majors from 22 games last year.

There is also upside to come from Walter, who brings a great willingness to compete but needs to start marking some of the balls that come his way inside-50.

Small forward Malcolm Rosas would be a welcome addition back in the forward line, given the creativity and speed he brings, along with an ability to hit the scoreboard.

Halfback rebounder Sam Flanders has been a revelation, averaging 31.4 disposals and 482 metres gained.

But I’d like to see Flanders take the game on with some more aggressive kicks to set the Suns up from the back half, because he can be a bit safe with the footy.

Key defender Mac Andrew continues to develop before our eyes and will be a key part of the Gold Coast backline for many years to come.

Young ruckman Ned Moyle has also shown some good signs, but the Suns need Jarrod Witts back and firing to complement their midfield in push towards September.

WHAT A COMBO

Long-time good mates, Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson are teaming up to terrorise opposition sides in the AFL.

They are one of the great Batman and Robin combinations in the competition.

Rowell is hard at the contest, averaging elite numbers for contested possessions (14.5 per game) and clearances (seven per game) this season.

Anderson can also win his own ball, but is more of the handball receive player on the outside who provides plenty of drive with his kicking going forward.

The pair are well complemented by Touk Miller, a gut-runner who can be damaging offensively but can also be given a job to quell one of the opposition’s best on-ballers.

Miller might be hunting Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw or Caleb Serong next after the bye.

This pair will continue to scare the rest of the AFL. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

WILL THE SUNS MAKE IT?

In their 14th season, it would be some story if the Suns can play finals for the first time.

However, I’m expecting them to narrowly miss the cut.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they lost five of their next six games – three of which are interstate and the other three of which are against strong sides in Collingwood, Port Adelaide and Brisbane Lions.

Originally published as McGuane’s mid-season report card: C+ for the Suns, but away horrors will cost them finals