Gold Coast
Coach – Stuart Dew
2017 –
Points For – 16th
Points Against – 17th
Top 5 Best and Fairest
- Gary Ablett
- David Swallow
- Jack Martin
- Tom Lynch
- Aaron Hall
2017 Rising Star Noms
Ben Ainsworth (Rnd 22)
Ins – Harrison Wigg, Aaron Young, Lachie Weller, Wil Powell, Charlie Ballard, Brayden Crossley, Connor Nutting, Josh Jaska, Nick Holman, Jacob Dawson, Jacob Heron
Outs – Jarrad Grant, Mitch Hallahan, Keegan Brooksby, Ryan Davis, Cameron Loersch, Daniel Currie, Trent McKenzie, Matt Shaw, Adam Saad, Brandon Matera, Gary Ablett
My Prediction
Who knows how to read about this list. They are so consistent in their underperformance that it has been amazing. They have some talent in their list but have always relied on Ablett for too much. It will be interesting to see what Mr Dew can do with them.
The backline should improve. They will miss the run of Saad but from a KP perspective I would expect Leslie, May and Thompson to get it done. Despite losing Saad they still have run off half back with Harbrow and Hanley. Kolodjashnij is also a handy distributor so I would think the backline should improve in their performances of last year.
The midfield is a concern. They stocked it with talent at the 2016 draft and will be hoping for some of them to start to play good consistent footy from this year. I think losing Ablett wont be all bad as we will see some of the younger players have to fill that void. Swallow looked more settled last year and will welcome in Wigg and Weller this year. Lyons was a positive from the year before and they would be looked for Bowes to step up this year. It is however the midfield that looks like holding them back from serious improvement.
The forward line has some quality there. Lynch, Martin and 2 meeeeeetre Peter are a good range of talls. They need someone buzzing around their feet and Ainsworth with another year in the system could be ready to do some damage. If they can get service from their midfield then they can kick a winning score.
I think I may have mocked the picking up of Witts last year but was an inspired choice. He looked great and held his own with backup from Wright. They may lack depth but good for now.
All in all I think their list is better than a 17th placed list. I think they should improve this year. I think they are capable of 8-10 wins if things go right for them. I think they should finish in the 14-16 range.