Lachie Weller determined to lead Gold Coast’s push for maiden AFL finals berth

With all the focus on John Noble and Daniel Rioli, Lachie Weller’s “faultless” pre-season has gone under the radar. But it’s been predicted he’ll be a key cog in Gold Coast’s pursuit of a maiden finals berth.

Gold Coast’s forgotten man Lachie Weller says he has “something to prove” after three injury-plagued seasons conspired to cut him down just as he was hitting his prime.

At his best one of the most damaging ball users in the competition, Weller’s weapons have largely been lost to the wider AFL consciousness after consecutive anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries cruelled his recent campaigns.

The 29 year old has managed just 26 games over the past three seasons after first rupturing his ACL against North Melbourne in 2022 and again the following year against Port Adelaide.

Weller ruptured his ACL against North Melbourne in Darwin in Round 12, 2022. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

He returned for a six-game cameo late last season but without the requisite fitness base beneath him, struggled to have the impact he expected of himself at AFL level.

That disappointment lit a fire under the former first round draft pick who, for the first time in three years, will enter the season with a full training block under his belt – and a hunger to make up for lost time.

“I think I’ve got something to prove — individually, just for me,” Weller declared.

“I know I can play good footy. I was disappointed in the way I finished last year.

“It’s just, for me, getting back out there and playing good footy again because I know I can do it.

“I was pretty flat (with) the way I came back, but looking in hindsight it was an achievement just to get back and play.”

Lachie Weller slots one in his first game in over a year 🙌#AFLGiantsSunspic.twitter.com/FrwTQqDSrT

— AFL (@AFL) July 20, 2024

With the off-season arrivals of rebounding defenders Daniel Rioli and John Noble, Weller has been given a new licence to thrill on the wing opposite breakout sensation Sam Clohesy.

It is an opportunity he is ready to take with both hands as he sets about reminding himself and the AFL world of what he can do when at his best.

“Physically and mentally I feel great,” Weller said.

“(With) a new coach last year, I felt a bit disconnected from the group being in rehab and then obviously not being able to practice the game plan but now I have that good connection and confidence in my game.

“For me it was about building confidence back in my game and being out there doing something I love again, being free and playing at the top of my game.”

Lachie Weller says he has a point to prove after an injury-plagued three seasons. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Last year, Gold Coast was at one point was the No. 1 inside 50 team in the competition but among the least efficient at converting entries into scores.

With the dash, precision and poise of Rioli and Noble across halfback and now Weller on a wing, the Suns have suddenly gone from wanting for kicking talent to boasting precision passers on every line.

“His run and carry and ball use is something we’re really looking forward to,” Suns assistant coach Shaun Grigg said.

“His pre-season has been flawless. He’s an elite athlete, an elite player and obviously the skills — whether it’s on the wing or a little bit of inside — with his footwork and craft, he has been really impressive.

“The thing that has impressed me is how calm he is in the traffic, with his footwork and his craft and his ball use especially.

“If Lachie Weller is kicking the ball inside 50 for us, we’re going to get good results.”

The trio of Weller, Rioli and Noble will play together for the first time on Friday night when the Suns host Sydney in the AFL Community Series at People First Stadium.

MILLER, FLANDERS IN DOUBT FOR OPENING ROUND

Gold Coast expects vice-captain Touk Miller to be fit for Opening Round and is still holding out hope Sam Flanders will join him in midfield for the March 8 clash with Essendon at People First Stadium.

Miller (knee) and Flanders (back) have been on modified programs in recent weeks and sat out the intraclub simulations as well as last Thursday’s practice matches against Brisbane and Collingwood.

Both players trained away from the main group on Wednesday and will miss Friday night’s Community Series clash with Sydney.

But Suns assistant Shaun Grigg says Miller is in no danger of missing the season opener against Essendon next weekend, while there is still a level of optimism that Flanders could also feature.

Gold Coast Suns player Touk Miller in the club's new guernsey for 2025. Picture: Gold Coast Suns.

“(Miller) is going good. If (Friday’s match against Sydney) was a regular season game, he plays,” Grigg said.

“He’ll have an important session on Friday and then will look to fold back in (to main training). He’ll be right for Opening Round, no worries.

“(Flanders) is similar to Touk. He’s on his own program, progressing well. We’ll keep an open mind there.

“He’s got an important session on Friday with Touk. We’ll go session by session. We’re not ruling anything out – hopefully he’ll be there Opening Round.”

Grigg added the two midfielders were experienced enough at this point of their careers that the club was not concerned about a lack of practice match reps before considering them to play in a competitive game.

“Touk is a seasoned campaigner, he doesn’t need two practice matches to be right,” Grigg said.

Touk Miller could be available for Round 1. Picture: Michael Klein

“And Flanders is so important for us, so individual programs to get enough work into them to be right (is the plan).”

Key forward Jed Walter was held out of main training on Wednesday with groin soreness and was consigned to running laps but the club said it was just a precautionary measure.

Walter has a carry-over suspension from the VFL last season and will have to sit out Opening Round.

There was better news for key defender Charlie Ballard, who trained fully and appeared to have overcome the ankle injury that kept him out of last Thursday’s practice matches.

The Suns host Sydney at People First Stadium on Friday night for what will be their final tune-up game before next Saturday’s season opener against the Bombers.

Boom off-season recruit Daniel Rioli is expected to get his first minutes in a Suns jersey against the Swans.

Originally published as Lachie Weller determined to lead Gold Coast’s push for maiden AFL finals berth