What happens when one of the youngest, most promising teams in the competition is helmed by one of the more senior coaches in footy?
It’s a question we should have answered soon enough, but the Suns under Rodney Eade could - if all goes right - become a frightening prospect. Their list oozes class from top to bottom, with the only thing really holding them back being a lack of finals experience.
By far they are tipped to be the big movers and shakers in 2015, and rightly so. The midfield alone should put the fear of God into opposition coaches - Ablett, Swallow, Bennell, Prestia, Martin, O’Meara. A once-in-a-generation player leading a group highly-touted prospects, who are capable of dominating games in their own right should send fear round the competition.
Naturally at this point, the concern was where the improvement had to come from next. With the midfield and the smaller forwards kicking most of the goals, the Suns have lacked in their formative years a key forward - as opposed to the Giants being up to their necks in them.
Charlie Dixon and Sam Day were always going to take time, but have looked to come on last season with a few solid performances under their belt. Promising key defender Rory Thompson will hold down the posts at the other end, a player who has put in the hard yards while the Suns were easy beats.
Consistency will be another key theme, with the Suns dismal end to the season surely a catalyst for change.
The future is unwritten for this club and the sky is the limit. Few other lists in the comp provide such a bright outlook and avoiding raids from the cashed up Melbourne elite is the only danger on the horizon.
Rodney Eade’s elusive flag may not remain elusive for much longer.
Players to watch
Rory Thompson
Standing at 200cm, Thompson has a rare advantage that lot of key defenders don’t have. In the forthcoming era of superpower key forwards – Boyd, Hogan, Daniher, Patton; he has the stature to match them pound for pound. Blessed with excellent game awareness, Thompson could be a league-renowned defender sooner rather than later.
Jaeger O’Meara
Going under the knife in November of last year, O’Meara will likely miss a game or two of early season football. Despite him being behind the eight ball fitness wise, it’ll be interesting to see how him being fresh later in the season will work for a Suns team that ran out of legs after July last year.
Dion Prestia
Despite not being the flash and finesses of the team, Prestia’s work ethic and contested ball output sees him far ahead of his mere 22 years of age. Another improvement this year will attract wider appreciation for his work.
Key Games
Round 9 v Hawthorn – Start of a tough three week run which sees them play the reigning premiers, Sydney and Fremantle. The only away game in the bunch and a strong effort against the Hawks at their fortress will send serious warning shots to the rest of the league.
Round 13 v Carlton – One of last season’s poorer showings was away to Carlton during their late-season form slump. Consistency in these kind of games is part of the next step forward.
Round 20 v Richmond – Could very likely be an eight-point game as both teams will be seeking a spot in the top six.
Finishing position – 5th