Rookie Suns captain’s big call after Magpies win
Murray Wenzel |
Noah Anderson has heralded Gold Coast’s nerve-jangling defeat of ladder-leaders Collingwood as the night the Suns grew up.
The rookie captain and his good mate Matt Rowell starred in the rollercoaster six-point win that came in the club’s first Friday night prime-time fixture.
Rowell (32 disposals, two goals, 13 tackles, 12 clearances) was immense while Anderson had as many touches and, with the game slipping from their grasp, did it all himself from the centre bounce to kick the winning goal.
The 10.9 (69) to 8.15 (63) win came after the Suns led by 39 points and had kept the Magpies goalless for two-and-a-half quarters.
They inevitably surged back to lead by three, before Anderson and Rowell put the team on their backs.
It moved the Suns (11-5) to fifth on the live ladder with seven games to play and 14 victories likely enough to secure a first finals berth in their 15th season.
“Really big,” Anderson told AAP of the win.
“A bigger build-up than usual … the community’s been waiting for this and to come out on top in a close one is special.”
The Suns are now 11-5, likely needing three wins from their last seven regular-season games to reach the post-season.
“Definitely,” Anderson, 24, said when asked if it was the night the Suns grew up.
“We’ve had so many moments where we’ve fallen just short.
“That’s not to say that won’t happen again in games – you can’t win them all – but the way we’re playing, I’m really proud of.
“We’re playing good, exciting footy, which is the best thing.”
The Suns will likely be without vice-captain and in-form midfielder Touk Miller (hamstring) for at least the short term.
They play third and second-placed sides Adelaide and Brisbane in the next fortnight.
But they’ll hope to get integral defender Sam Collins (calf) back after missing the last two weeks.
“He’s super important player for us but we’ve got good depth there and did a good job without him,” Anderson said of Miller, who was substituted in the second term.
“It’s a big block for us but … Dimma (coach Damien Hardwick) gives us the weekend off if we win, so feet up for a few days then back into it.”
Hardwick, a three-time flag winner with Richmond, issued a rallying cry for the city’s support but hesitated to look too far ahead.
“It’s big because it’s a big game,” Hardwick said of the psychological impact of the victory.
“Friday night footy … first time against one of, if not the best side in the competition and we played an outstanding brand.
“I’m sitting here hoping the city jumps on and look at this side thinking, ‘I want to be part of this’.”
“We can go there, and want our players to understand that’s what we’re aiming for, but we’ve got to get our thoughts back on the next shift and that’s Adelaide (next Sunday).”
After a fortnight in the headlines regarding umpire contact and his treatment on the ball, Rowell drew seven free kicks and gave away five.
No other player earned or conceded more than four.
“People want to come and watch the best play … he had a heap of the ball, massive tackle count, kicked big goals,” Hardwick said.
“I thought he was wonderful.”
SUNS’ RUN HOME
* Adelaide (away)
* Brisbane (home)
* Richmond (home)
* Carlton (away)
* Giants (home)
* Essendon (home)
* Port Adelaide (away)
AAP
