The Gold Coast Suns’ preparations for Opening Round step up a notch on Thursday night when they meet the Brisbane Lions in a practice match at Springfield’s Brighton Homes Arena.
The Suns, who aren’t shying away from their determination to play finals this year, will be close to full strength, with Brandon Ellis, Lachie Weller, Wil Powell, Alex Davies and Jed Walter the main players to be missing.
Suns player Nick Holman, who expects to play three of the four quarters on Thursday night, said there was “a different feel” under new coach Damien Hardwick.
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“We don’t want to have a ceiling of where we’re going. We want to play finals and win finals, and play in Grand Finals. There’s no point shying away from that,” he said.
“That’s the challenge that we’re up for, and I think we’ve got the group to do it.”
The Lions will be without co-captain Lachie Neale, who continues his recovery from off-season groin surgery. Neale’s hopeful of returning next week in Brisbane’s Community Series clash against Sydney.
However, vice-captain Hugh McCluggage is set to play against the Suns after recovering from a corked thigh that forced him to miss last Friday’s intra-club trial.
MATCH UPDATES
Both clubs had made several clear role changes and tweaks – Brisbane started Darcy Gardiner up forward and Cam Rayner out of the square, while Gold Coast had Alex Sexton running off half back and David Swallow deep in defence.
Lions star livewire Charlie Cameron picked up right where he left off in 2023 with Brisbane’s opening three goals of the match.
“He’s impressive isn’t he? The last place you want to be as a small defender is one-on-one with Charlie Cameron inside 50,” former Lion and Port Adelaide player Tom Rockliff told Fox Footy.
Eric Hipwood had the Lions’ other two goals in a dominant start as Chris Fagan’s side – which was reportedly kicking with a breeze – raced out to an early 23-point lead.
Brisbane led by 20 points at the end of the first period, 5.2 (33) to 2.1 (13).
Commentator Brett Thomas noted on Fox Footy Hardwick “looked pretty fired up” at the first change, with the Suns boss opting to take the coaching reins in his first unofficial game in charge, while Lions head of development James Borlace was leading Brisbane.
Cameron kicked a fourth goal eight minutes into the second period – then his fifth after receiving a dubious free kick for holding the ball.
Thomas said gun small forward was “on fire”, while Rockliff said Cameron was “off to a blistering start in 2024.”
Thomas added: “Welcome back to coaching Damien Hardwick. Barely a quarter and a half in and his side is four goals down and Charlie Cameron had five (goals). Is it too early for a half-time spray?”
Brisbane led by 30 points after two periods, 10.3 (63) to 5.3 (33).
The match gets underway at 6pm AEDT from Brighton Homes Arena.
The only way to watch it live is via Fox Footy (channel 504) and/or streaming on Kayo.
LIONS SQUAD
1. Kai Lohmann, 3. Joe Daniher, 4. Callum Ah Chee, 5. Josh Dunkley, 6. Hugh McCluggage, 11. Lincoln McCarthy, 14. James Madden, 15. Dayne Zorko, 16. Cam Rayner, 17. Jarryd Lyons, 18. Keidean Coleman, 20. Jaxon Prior, 22. Harry Sharp, 23. Charlie Cameron, 27. Darcy Gardiner, 28. Jaspa Fletcher, 29. James Tunstill, 30. Eric Hipwood, 31. Harris Andrews, 32. Darcy Fort, 33. Zac Bailey, 35. Ryan Lester, 37. Brandon Starcevich, 40. Jack Payne, 44. Darcy Wilmot, 46. Oscar McInerney
Notable absentees: Lachie Neale, Jarrod Berry, Conor McKenna, Tom Doedee, Deven Robertson, Will Ashcroft
SUNS SQUAD
2. Rory Atkins, 3. Sam Flanders, 6. Alex Sexton, 7. Nick Holman, 8. Brayden Fiorini, 9. Ben Ainsworth, 10. Charlie Ballard, 11. Touk Miller, 12. Sam Day, 13. Jack Lukosius, 15. Noah Anderson, 16. Tom Berry, 18. Matt Rowell, 19. Bailey Humphrey, 20. Ethan Read, 21. James Tsitas, 22. Ben Long, 23. Sean Lemmens, 24. David Swallow, 25. Sam Collins, 26. Will Graham, 28. Jarrod Witts, 30. Levi Casboult, 31. Mac Andrew, 32. Bodhi Uwland, 33. Sam Clohesy, 34. Ben King, 35. Connor Budarick, 36. Will Rowlands, 37. Oskar Faulkhead, 38. Lloyd Johnston, 40. Joel Jeffrey, 41. Malcolm Rosas jnr, 42. Jack Mahony, 44. Darcy Macpherson, 45. Sandy Brock, 46. Caleb Graham, 47. Hewago Oea, 49. Ned Moyle, 50. Jy Farrar
Notable absentees: Brandon Ellis, Lachie Weller, Wil Powell, Alex Davies, Jed Walter, Jake Rogers
MATCH FORMAT
6 x 20-minute periods, plus time-on
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