Their execution wasn’t quite on point but Gold Coast Suns coach Rodney Eade has given his side an A-plus for effort after booking a thrilling win over Geelong in their first pre-season fixture.
With skipper Gary Ablett among a high-profile list of exclusions, a second-string Suns outfit held on for an eight-point NAB Challenge victory at Townsville’s Tony Ireland Stadium on Sunday.
Faces old and new starred with Michael Rischitelli, Harley Bennell, Zac Smith and recruit Mitch Hallahan among the best for Gold Coast in the 0.10.19 (79) to 1.9.8 (71) win.
In stifling heat, Eade said he was pleased the most with his side’s application after they denied a fast-finishing Geelong in a rollercoaster final term.
“Coaches always preach effort,” he said.
“There were a few rusty bits and a few things we can improve on – our skill and decision making.
“But as far as effort was concerned I thought it was an A-plus. I was really pleased with that.
“I thought the younger, inexperienced players really pitched in.”
Hallahan, who was traded from Hawthorn last year, had a team-high 25 possessions while Smith had 28 hitouts as he continues to show promise in his comeback from two injury-wrecked seasons.
“I thought Zac was our best player,” Eade said.
“Zac played really well, he obviously wants to stamp his mark to be the number one ruckman.”
The match was on the line in the final term and after back-to-back goals from Mitch Clark in his return to AFL football, it appeared Geelong would take the ascendancy.
But in a welcome show of intent, the Suns were up for the challenge, fought back and grounded out the win.
It was precisely the start Eade would have wanted in his first official match at the helm.
And with a further nine players to return from injury over the coming weeks – including Jack Martin, Tom Nichols, Dion Prestia, Jaeger O’Meara and Ablett – things are looking good for the expansion outfit.
Eade is under pressure to deliver the Suns this year what sacked predecessor Guy McKenna could not – finals football.
The Cats, who were minus the likes of captain Joel Selwood, Steve Johnson and Hamish McIntosh, were well served by Jimmy Bartel (26 possessions) and Harry Taylor (22) and came back to take the lead in the last quarter, only to be snuffed out by the Suns.
Clark did well in his first game since leaving Melbourne amidst a battle with depression in 2013, amassing two goals and nine touches in approximately three quarters of football.
“Playing your first game for a new club can be daunting but he kicked two late and looked good,” Cats assistant coach Blake Caracella said.
“It was very hard to mark the ball, it was a very dewy game with the humidity.
“He’ll be certainly better for the run.”
The only injury concern to come out of the game was a minor one, with Gold Coast defender Henry Schade’s next week to be restricted by an ankle knock.
