Thoughts on this GC strategy?

Memphistopheles · May 04, 2011, 04:08:44 PM

How will this affect us DTers. I haven't actually been able to watch a GC match this season - can anyone tell me who might miss out because of this?

http://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news-and-media/news/birth-certificates-have-been-ripped-up/page-1

Gold Coast SUNS coach Guy McKenna will focus on physically mature players at the selection table ahead of Saturday night's match against the Brisbane Lions, saying "birth certificates have been ripped up".

It follows last week's capitulation to Essendon where a number of McKenna's lighter framed players were exposed.

"We know it'll be brutally tough, a mentally tough game and we're going to need 22 boys that can stand their ground and if you can't, we can't play you, simple as that," McKenna said.

"So there'll be some horses for courses and based on the showing last week a few blokes have put themselves in danger of missing out this week. They may have got good stats but physically were found wanting, some of those boys have put themselves at risk.

"Birth certificates have been ripped up, it's now on the scales, so if you're a jockey weight, unless you're really quick and get some stoppages, I don't like your chances this week."

The focus on bulk means the Gold Coast SUNS could unleash exciting tall forward Sam Day in the inaugural Queensland clash, after Charlie Dixon sustained a calf injury in the loss to Essendon.

The 196cm, 96kg forward was taken at No.3 in last year's National Draft and had scouts from around the country salivating at his athleticism and agility.

The South Australian recorded a vertical leap of 81cm and turned his back on potential careers in both baseball and basketball.

Dixon hobbled off in the final quarter of Sunday's loss against Essendon and GC SUNS coach Guy McKenna said he expected scans today to confirm that his robust centre half-forward would miss a couple of weeks.

However Dixon's misfortune paves the way for either Day or Tom Lynch to make their debut, although it seemed McKenna was leaning the way of the South Australian.

"Those boys would be in pole position," McKenna said.

"Sam Day has had some time to get fit, he's probably still not cherry ripe, but we may have to get him in the baptism of fire early."

Day had a shoulder issue that interrupted his pre-season.

"Tom Lynch is another one. Glandular fever cut his pre-season down a bit but he's had some really good performances in the seconds, he played the last two, we think he has a good base level of fitness, he's a competitor, he's a bit of a beast, he likes the physical contact, so he's another one we could look at putting in that position as well," McKenna said.

Ziplock · May 04, 2011, 04:12:59 PM

matera looks like he'll get the chop from this.

Pretty slack considering that it wasn't his fault he didn't score many points... the suns just weren't delivering him the ball.

Holz · May 04, 2011, 04:15:32 PM

i think with GC changing it up soo much the best resposne is get rid of as many GC players as you can for me im going to try and get rid of stanley, toy and matera and the only ones to keep are smith and harris, i would include swallow but i dont have him.

blah128 · May 04, 2011, 04:16:57 PM

Matera didn't score well DT wise but he didn't see much of the ball...and when he did see it he was outnumbered a lot and didn't do terribly. It might be wishful thinking but I think he will still be there this weekend

Ziplock · May 04, 2011, 04:17:47 PM

stanley is fine with that article, isn't he a mature player with some (albeit limited) afl experience?

toy could be another to go though, he is ridiculously young.

thatguy · May 04, 2011, 04:24:14 PM

matera wont get the ass.

he got starved of opportunity and he was their leading goal kicker last season.

hopefully prestia gets another run as he is a solid build! :D

Ziplock · May 04, 2011, 04:38:37 PM

yeah, matera's alleged speed makes me less worried about him. Toy could be out though.

n4cr123 · May 04, 2011, 04:55:18 PM

Dont panic to much guys the gold coast dont have 22 big bodied players to field....this just means under performing players will be given the foot for bigger built players such as day and prestia... 1 guy i would be worried about is josh Toy.

Holz · May 04, 2011, 04:57:52 PM

Quote from: n4cr123 on May 04, 2011, 04:55:18 PM
Dont panic to much guys the gold coast dont have 22 big bodied players to field....this just means under performing players will be given the foot for bigger built players such as day and prestia... 1 guy i would be worried about is josh Toy.

toy is the only guy i care about being dropped as he hasnt earnt anywhere near enough money, wouldnt mind matera plying 2 more either.

Ziplock · May 04, 2011, 05:04:02 PM

is toy really underperforming though? I wouldn't have considered him being dropped until they made that bigger body comment.

n4cr123 · May 04, 2011, 05:05:32 PM

nah i dont think he has been bad at all however with krak and Bock likely to be back in action this week i dont think he is safe..

TMurphBROWNLOW · May 04, 2011, 05:07:56 PM

this is putting me off a libba -> iles trade :-\

Ziplock · May 04, 2011, 05:09:01 PM

surely you mean brown not krak...?
:-X

n4cr123 · May 04, 2011, 05:13:13 PM

nah i meant krak... although has brown finished his suspension? krak will be back soon i think... they need as much experience in the side as they can get...

thanme · May 04, 2011, 05:21:20 PM

This is probably bad for Dixon. Not that he is overly useful in my team anyway :/