Every AFL club’s best 22 for ’22: Gold Coast Suns

Is this the year the Suns reach new heights under Stuart Dew?

STAFF WRITER | January 18, 2022 - 12:25pm

Stuart Dew's Gold Coast side have languished at the foot of the table since the beginning of his reign in 2018, with a plethora of false dawns frustrating Suns fans who are salivating for a glimpse of September footy.

The talent that lays within this Gold Coast side has bounds of potential, however it is down to Dew and his backroom staff to unlock such power and finally make a tangible leap in quality.

Following the devastating injury to Jarrod Witts which saw the 29-year-old practically miss the whole of season 2021, Suns recruiters have gone to work during the off-season in securing some tall timber.

Richmond's Mabior Chol, gun draftee Mac Andrew and Blues big man Levi Casboult were the three names who came through the doors at Gold Coast that will more than bolster the Suns' tall stocks and save a repeat of 2021's catastrophe.

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Additionally, Cats midfielder Charlie Constable made the switch up north as well after being put on the back burner at Kardinia Park, with the 23-year-old hoping to kickstart his AFL career in Queensland.

Taking into account all of these additions, let's take a look at what the Suns best 22 will look like come Round 1.

Defenders

The main man within the Suns' defence is Victorian native Sam Collins, who has been a late bloomer in his AFL career after only nailing down a spot in Gold Coast's side in 2020.

His ability to intercept and blanket key forwards seems second nature to him and the 27-year-old will be one of the key pieces in Stuart Dew's set-up for a long while yet.

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Youngster Wil Powell had his breakout year for Gold Coast, finishing second in the club's best and fairest through his incredibly resolute displays down in the Suns' rearguard.

Connor Budarick slots in on the other side of Collins after missing a similar amount of football to the aforementioned Witts, whilst defensive-mid Jack Bowes comes in across halfback following a fruitful 2021.

Young gun Charlie Ballard lines up at centre halfback after another huge year for Stuart Dew's side, with the South Australian finishing 13th across the entire competition for total intercepts, providing further evidence of his integrity to this Suns side.

20-year-old Jeremy Sharp completes the back six following his successful introduction into the team during the backend of 2021.

Midfielders

Gold Coast's midfield is brimming with talent and has the capability of going very far should things go right for the side over the coming years.

Tall utility Jack Lukosius starts on the wing for Gold Coast, with his incredible distribution by foot being a crucial aspect of the Suns' game plan.

In the middle of the park is the smooth-moving Noah Anderson, whose inside work keeps the side's engine room ticking over even on their worst days.

Dual-premiership Tiger Brandon Ellis retains his spot on the outside after another hard-working year at his second club, finishing sixth in the club's best and fairest count.

Matt Rowell had a stunted second year, with the 20-year-old unable to live up to the insanely lofty standards he set during his short debut season, however, another good pre-season under his belt could see him have a huge 2022.

Best and fairest winner and All-Australian Touk Miller rounds out the mids, and following a mammoth 2021, will be the one in 2022 to set the tone for the rest of the Suns' engine room following the signing of a new six-year deal.

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Ruck Jarrod Witts will be available for the beginning of 2022 after a ruptured ACL ended his 2021 season after only three games. His return should do wonders around the contest for the Suns, giving their onballers first hands on the footy with his imposing presence in the ruck.

Forwards

The Suns were the lowest scoring side in the entire competition last year, however, their off-season acquisitions may change that status in 2022.

Ben Ainsworth had a career-best year in many facets of his game and would be looking to build upon it in 2022 as he lines up across the half-forward line. Big man Sam Day will be battling for a place after missing most of 2021, likely earning a place deep in their attack.

Veteran David Swallow was impressive in 2021, finishing third in the Club Champion tally and will start in an attacking midfield role off the half-forward flank.

Deeper down in attack sits one-half of the prodigious King twins in the form of Ben, who at times flew under the radar in 2021 but somehow managed to outscore his brother Max to finish with a career-best 47 goals from 22 games.

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Leading from centre-half forward is new recruit Mabior Chol, whose glimpses of brilliance during his career at Punt Road charmed Suns recruiters enough to poach him during trade period 2021. His athleticism and ability to shift between the ruck and key forward duties will be a handy tool in Stuart Dew's arsenal in 2022.

Finally, the enigmatic Izak Rankine takes up the last place in the forward line after producing a 2021 campaign that was for the most part promising. The X-factor that he brings to his side can win games, however, some inconsistency towards the back end of the year showed there is still much to do before he becomes a top player.

The drafting of Mac Andrew could prove to be a game-changer for the Suns over the next few years. The athletic tall can play anywhere across the ground with his ultra-athletic frame and utter dominance overhead surely set to shape how Stuart Dew sets up his team going forward.