2015 season – 16th
2016 prediction – 15th
THE BRIEF
I know, I know, it is pretty easy to lump the same four clubs that finished last season at the bottom end of the ladder in a different order for the new season. But that’s what I’m doing and if you don’t like it, write your own preview.
Times are tough in Queensland and, despite all the sunshine, it’s difficult to see the light for either club. No doubt the Suns have the bigger upside, but they have also been gifted plenty in terms of recruiting over their short history. They also have a bloke called Ablett, who goes alright.
This is a team who many thought would make the eight last season but after a horror year with injury and the like, we were forced to reassess and the general conclusion is, they really aren’t that good.
If Ablett stays injury free, they will win enough games to keep the doomsayers at bay, but another bad year for the champ and they simply don’t have the depth of class to cover him.
Jaeger O’Meara was all set to be a key return only to injure himself yet again.
Throw in the fact David Swallow is done for at least half the season with a knee issue and Charlie Dixon is now at the Power (albeit, also injured) and already the signs are negative for a Suns rise up the table.
In all honesty, I think the Suns at $17 in the most losses market (which doesn’t include Essendon) would be a nice little bet.
THE LOCK: (MR RELIABLE)
Gary Ablett: Injury free and at his best, there is nobody better. Nat Fyfe included. Don’t get me wrong, the little purple fellow is a gem but, unlike Ablett, he isn’t in the conversation when we talk of the greatest player ever. He might well be one day but Ablett is still King.
Injury free and he’s going to be in the finish on Brownlow night. He’s currently $7. When was the last time we saw a price like that about little Gaz?
THE STOCK: (THE INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE)
Tom Lynch: Sure, he won the club best and fairest last season but how many of you knew that? The simple fact is, outside the odd couple of players, those south of the sunshine strip have very little knowledge of who even plays for the Suns. Those north have even less of a clue. This kid is a jet and will be one the gun forwards for years to come. He’s $21 for the Coleman Medal too. I’ve certainly made worse bets .. this week even.
THE SMOKIN’ BARREL: (THE 2016 ZERO to HERO)
Jarrad Grant: In the interests of full disclosure, Jarrad is a mate of mine. And I am also a Bulldogs supporter so I know how frustrating he can be to watch. I also know how bloody talented he is. Injury didn’t help his pre-season and a botched surgery following the injury helped him less. Trust me, he has the ability to be something pretty good and I am sure Rodney Eade is the best man possible to extract that from him second time around. Jarrad’s biggest concern might be the Queensland sun on his pasty white skin.
