The Gold Coast Experience

Can a second AFL team in the sunshine state succeed? Being up on the Gold Coast for their match against Frankston in the VFL was the perfect opportunity to analyse the chances of success this club has, both on and off the field.

It is obviously going to be difficult starting from almost scratch, and the side playing on Saturday (and that has won just two matches this year) will not be the side that runs out in Round 1 next year. Having said that, there certainly is plenty of potential for Gold Coast fans to get excited about.

Young guns such as David Swallow, Rory Thompson and Tom Nicholls were the highlights. The most impressive thing about the side as a whole was their size. Despite having an extremely young list, the side is full of both very tall and very strong players for their age. Another positive is the use of mature recruit Daniel Harris. He is no superstar, yet he seems a perfect fit for this side, showing great leadership on the field. He is hard at the ball and has a strong body - which is what the Gold Coast will need desperately as their younger players develop.

Now onto the negatives. The biggest headache Guy McKenna has right now is Nathan Ablett. He wasn't even in the VFL side, playing in the curtain raiser for QFL side Broadbeach, and struggling. He is either injured or completely unfit. He had the size and football brain (remember he is an AFL premiership player) to completely dominate his opponents, yet couldn't. He simply could not get to the contest often enough. The only reason the crowd was happy to see him out there is because it meant his father, Garry Ablett was at the match, with many people caught staring (including myself) as he watched on.

The second problem has been very well publicised. That is Karmichael Hunt. He was extremely quiet, and up until three quarter time had just 2 handpasses to his name. Thankfully the last quarter he was able to get his hands on the ball more often, and even set up a goal, running out of defence and linking two handballs together. The play did not validate his decision to take on the AFL challenge, but it certainly showed a glimpses as to where his ability may one day take him.

For me it is very easy to take the optimistic view of Hunt and his playing ability. The reason is the massive marketting goals the footy club is already kicking. Heading to the match as a Frankston supporter, I thought we might even outnumber the uninterested Queenslanders. How wrong I was. The oval was packed, the members of Broadbeach FC manning the canteen had a grin from ear to ear. It was surely one of the biggest crowds the VFL has seen to any fixture this year, and with the number of GCFC hats being worn, I am completely convinced that this side will not struggle with the same supported issues the Gold Coast A-league side has been burdened with. Even the Rebel Sport down the road was stocked with plenty of Gold Coast merchandise. Realistically the club is aiming for 10-15 thousand members next year, and they will reach that target with ease.

They may not be successful on the field from the outset, but I have no doubts that this venture is going to win the off-field battle, and become more than viable.

Hypothetical Wednesday

GWS pulled off the impossible yesterday, signing NRL superstar Israel Folau to a four year deal. It has opened a whole can of worms as to whether the physically imposing Folau will be able to transfer his skill set over to the AFL. What I have done is create a team of Athletes from other sports, who might now be considering moving over to the AFL.

Full Back:

Paul Collingwood (Cricket)
Great defence and leadership qualities. Couldn't leave someone with that last name out of the side.

Billy Slater (Rugby League)
Has the physical attributes and I am reliably informed that many at Carlton (with whom the Storm train along side) believe he could step right into any AFL starting side. Would use his pace to run out of defence in the same manner as Matthew Scarlett.

Lleyton Hewitt (Tennis)
Dogged defender, whose determination on the field would make it very difficult to get the ball past.


Half Back:

Mark Webber (Formula 1)
Love his pace and skill off the half back line. Also not afraid to have a crack at Andrew Demetriou about the AFL becoming a 'Nanny State'

Payton Manning (American Football)
His direction from the back line will be crucial.

Ellyse Perry (Cricket & Soccer)
Plays just about everything else, why not give Aussie Rules a crack?


Centre:

Usain Bolt (Athletics)
Obvious wingmen with his blistering pace. Would really like to develop his key forward prospects too. He has the height for it, and I'd love to see a full back try to catch him on the lead.

Lebron James (Basketball)
Already has the body to deal with the wear and tear of AFL, my major concern is his mental ability. Can't have him cracking the sads everytime something goes against him on the field.

Greg Inglis (Rugby League)
Pace, Size and skill. He is a Lance Franklin clone, and hopefully his ability will match


Half Forward:

Harry Kewell (Soccer)
Devastating left boot that can easily be transferred onto the AFL field. His run will also be important.

Sharelle McMahon (Netball)
May need to bulk up, but her leadership skill, and ability under intense pressure is proven.

Tim Cahill (Soccer)
Can run all day, and will probably be moved onto the ball at some point. Also has a great leap. To compliment his game, he may approach the AFL to try and change the rules, allowing goals to be scored from headers.


Full Forward:

Geoff Ogilvy (Golf)
Fantastic under pressure, I expect Geoff will kick many goals late in big and close games, when others around him start to feel the pressure.

Lauren Jackson (Basketball)
Will use her height and agility to take plenty of big grabs.

Damien Oliver (Jockey)
Ready to crumb the ball as soon as it hits the deck from the tall forwards.


Foll:

Yao Ming (Basketball)
Couldn't look past his height for out number 1 ruckmen.

Lionel Messi (Soccer)
He is harder to tackle than Robert Harvey, with his amazing core strength. Also has the pace we love. He's biggest asset though is the ability to push forward and score goals.

Roger Federer (Tennis)
The Rolls Royce of the side. Glides across the field and will win the hearts of the purist quicker than most, with his exquisite skills and respect for the history of the game.


Interchange:

Steve Hooker (Athletics)
Our Back-up Ruckmen, who has an impressive leap.

Serena Williams (Tennis)
Will have the boys looking twice when she comes steaming out of the forward line

Casey Stoner (Moto GP)
Highly attacking player, who needs to work on his defensive skills and tempo footy.

Eamon Sullivan (Swimming)
Being in the starting side is like winning gold medals, and Eamon is just not quite there.