THE ROAD TO ROUND 1, 2015

[DubDee 26,390]

As of right now, I don't think anyone would be disappointed if Garland left for free agency.

In terms of compensation, probably a 3rd or 4th rounder.

I would be. I reckon he has enough credits in the bank after some good years and a couple of very good years that can excuse one bad year. he was clearly our best defender in 2013 and was pretty consistent for 6-7 years playing in a horrible team. He cant have lost that overnight

I am always amazed how quickly we turn on our players when they are out of form

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

I would be. I still believe he has something positive to offer our side going forward.

Well unfortunately this is the AFL, and at his age and games experience and after a full pre-season, you'd expect him to want have a really consistent and solid season down back like Jetta or Dunn did last year.

We need to live in the now. I once saw Juice Newton tear a quarter up as if he'd magically turned into superman. Does it mean we should have kept hold of him because we saw a tiny glimpse of what he can produce?

If a player isn't performing consistently well at age 27 with a fair amount of games experience, it's a worrying sign.

Garland needs to give the club a reason to want to keep him this year. He needs a big year.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

That was 5 frees over three games (less than 2 per game)... I wouldn't have thought that was excessive for a defender considering the pressure that players forward and back are under.

I'm almost certain most of them came from the Freo game for him.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Well unfortunately this is the AFL, and at his age and games experience and after a full pre-season, you'd expect him to want have a really consistent and solid season down back like Jetta or Dunn did last year.

We need to live in the now. I once saw Juice Newton tear a quarter up as if he'd magically turned into superman. Does it mean we should have kept hold of him because we saw a tiny glimpse of what he can produce?

If a player isn't performing consistently well at age 27 with a fair amount of games experience, it's a worrying sign.

Garland needs to give the club a reason to want to keep him this year. He needs a big year.

[Fat Tony 5,322]

Well unfortunately this is the AFL, and at his age and games experience and after a full pre-season, you'd expect him to want have a really consistent and solid season down back like Jetta or Dunn did last year.

We need to live in the now. I once saw Juice Newton tear a quarter up as if he'd magically turned into superman. Does it mean we should have kept hold of him because we saw a tiny glimpse of what he can produce?

If a player isn't performing consistently well at age 27 with a fair amount of games experience, it's a worrying sign.

Garland needs to give the club a reason to want to keep him this year. He needs a big year.

Garland has had one bad year after undergoing ankle surgery late in the pre-season. The year prior to that he almost won the Bluey. He needs to show he can get his fitness back but the comparison to Juice Newton is egregious.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Did McKenzie not play for the Scorps on Saturday ?Think he might be getting a run in the 1's this week - a move which I detest !!

I highly doubt it.

I think Roos' move to play our skipper on the best mids of opposition teams proved to be successful last year.

We know Ablett will get the ball no matter who is on him, but we also want him to be accountable when we have possession of the ball and he'll be a helluva lot more accountable on Jones than he would be on McKenzie as we know the quality of Jones decision making, kicking and ability to kick goals.

I know there are some who hate hearing it, but McKenzie literally offers nothing offensively.

I'd much prefer Jones going head to head with Ablett.

It's a no brainer, really.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Garland has had one bad year after undergoing ankle surgery late in the pre-season. The year prior to that he almost won the Bluey. He needs to show he can get his fitness back but the comparison to Juice Newton is egregious.

I'm a glass half full kind of guy. I'd say Garland has had one really solid and consistent year, a couple of bad ones due to various reasons including injury and the rest of his career has been 'meh' to me.

Improvement as a team comes from a team of improving individuals.

See Nathan Jones.

[dpositive 1,838]

Quote

"He may never play again but that marks gonna live on forever"

[dl4e 5,851]

People are getting Garland on their brains and probably rightly so. The one that gets me is Grimes. Slow, can't kick and turns it over to the opposition too many times. Not in my team.

[Gator 18,012]

People are getting Garland on their brains and probably rightly so. The one that gets me is Grimes. Slow, can't kick and turns it over to the opposition too many times. Not in my team.

He has issues, but pace isn't one of them.

[HEMLOCK 39]

Of those players you can safely say Terlich, Fitzpatrick, Georgiou, Spencer, Byrnes and Trengove won't play.

Toumpas, Bail, Vince, Michie, M. Jones and Howe are all touch and go for various reasons.

both dawes and frawley kicked 2 each and were among our best players

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

both dawes and frawley kicked 2 each and were among our best players

Not sure how I missed Frawley, did Dawes play?

[Dr. Gonzo 24,459]

Ablett will play and I hope he does. Let GC come to us expecting an easy win and lets smash them.

Any chance Viney or Jamar will test his shoulder out early?

[DubDee 26,390]

Well unfortunately this is the AFL, and at his age and games experience and after a full pre-season, you'd expect him to want have a really consistent and solid season down back like Jetta or Dunn did last year.

We need to live in the now. I once saw Juice Newton tear a quarter up as if he'd magically turned into superman. Does it mean we should have kept hold of him because we saw a tiny glimpse of what he can produce?

If a player isn't performing consistently well at age 27 with a fair amount of games experience, it's a worrying sign.

Garland needs to give the club a reason to want to keep him this year. He needs a big year.

I do expect him to have a big year. And in sure he does too

I'm just not writing him off like a lot on here

But the comparison to Newton? C'mon mate. I'm trying to have an arguement here. Don't make it too easy!

[Gator 18,012]

I read tonight that the Suns are considering playing O'Meara in round one.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/jaeger-omeara-needs-strong-training-session-to-cement-place-in-gold-coast-round-1-team/story-fndv8hfz-1227285205602

We'll wait and see, but I suspect Gold Coast are more concerned about this game than some Dees supporters, who think a loss is a forgone conclusion.

[Ron Burgundy 8,588]

I highly doubt it.

I think Roos' move to play our skipper on the best mids of opposition teams proved to be successful last year.

We know Ablett will get the ball no matter who is on him, but we also want him to be accountable when we have possession of the ball and he'll be a helluva lot more accountable on Jones than he would be on McKenzie as we know the quality of Jones decision making, kicking and ability to kick goals.

I know there are some who hate hearing it, but McKenzie literally offers nothing offensively.

I'd much prefer Jones going head to head with Ablett.

It's a no brainer, really.

Hey Steve - I don't know if it's a no brainer to be fair.

If McKenzie can effectively shut Ablett down, I'd be very happy with that.

Particularly if it also enables Jones to get 30 disposals.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

GAZ IN:

SuperCoach Paige

17 mins ·

MASSIVE, MASSIVE GAZ NEWS!

"Certainly Gaz WILL play" - Gold Coast Suns Senior Coach Rodney Eade at this morning's presser.

Is the little champ now a lock in your Round 1 ‪#‎SuperCoach‬ side?

[What 18,810]

Glad he is playing

Bring it on

[Gorgoroth 13,188]

Not in my super coach side.

[chook fowler 19,734]

Any chance Viney or Jamar will test his shoulder out early?

Wonder if Rod Grinter is free on Saturday

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

We are all talking Ablett, but he is one player, if we can shut down the players around him, the Suns have some talent, he can't do everything (although some think he can), if we can minimise the damage of the next play after Ablett has touched it we may get somewhere

Eade will have to be concerned with Lumumba, Nathan Jones,Tyson and Garlett and especially Salem of half back, I expect him to play a defensive forward on Salem

[Wunders 397]

Hey Steve - I don't know if it's a no brainer to be fair.

If McKenzie can effectively shut Ablett down, I'd be very happy with that.

Particularly if it also enables Jones to get 30 disposals.

I personally thought it was more of a whole team shut down last year (multiple players bumping blocking gary all game and mckenzie illegally holding him at stoppages.

Id much prefer him not in the team because i think people overate that game in particular.

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

I personally thought it was more of a whole team shut down last year (multiple players bumping blocking gary all game and mckenzie illegally holding him at stoppages.

Id much prefer him not in the team because i think people overate that game in particular.

McKenzie has been training and playing in defence for most of the pre season

[Redleg 42,043]

They may be waiting to see if Ablett plays - McKenzie may be played simply to run with him all day. He has a decent record when playing on GAJ.

Not if Ablett plays as a permanent forward.

[M C 221]

Not if Ablett plays as a permanent forward.

Very possible given the Suns' forward line issues