The AFL has created a monster it will not be able to control. In four years, the Gold Coast Suns will dominate the AFL competition to an extent never before seen in the game’s 115-year history.
The draft and recruiting concessions granted to the competition’s 17th team have been generous enough to strike fear into the hearts of opposition clubs.
Though still in its infant stages, rest assured this monster has shown early signs of an unstoppable nature. Saturday’s win over cross-town rivals Brisbane has already awarded Gold Coast the mantle of best team in the Sunshine State just six games into its AFL life.
Despite surrendering 832 games of AFL experience to their opponents, the Suns controlled the inaugural ‘Q-clash’ with a disciplined and dominant display inconceivable of side that had 14 players with ten or less AFL games to their name.
With more games and experience, these kids will only get better.
The AFL understandably needed to lend a hand to its new expansion team in order to avoid another northern disaster similar to the Brisbane Bears. However, it may have extended this helping hand a little too far.
The Suns currently boast the best young footballers this country has to offer. Not surprising considering the AFL granted them eight of the first 13 picks in last year’s national draft.
Gold Coast also signed eight un-contracted players from rivals clubs in last year’s off-season. Among the recruits dual premiership winner, Brownlow medalist and arguably one of the greatest players of the modern era, Gary Ablett.
How easy it would have been for Gold Coast recruiting managers to pick up the phone and entice impressionable 17-year olds: “Hey feeling like coming to live on the Gold Coast, get paid more than you could anywhere else and play with one of the greatest players of all time?”
Every week the Suns step onto the field a new young talent showcases their potential.
Last weekend saw Thomas Lynch have his turn in the spotlight with 17 disposals, nine marks (three contested) and two goals on debut.
He joins David Swallow, Charlie Dixon, Brandon Matera and Zac Smith as youngsters already turning heads across the competition.
Smith, 21, has arrived onto the AFL scene with frightening ease. The 205cm soccer convert has only been playing Australian rules for five years yet his 12.8 disposals and 4.2 marks per game already eclipse those of dual premiership ruckman Darren Jolly. The type of player he will become with 100 games experience under his belt is nothing short of scary.
Make no mistake, the premiership window for the Gold Coast is no more than four years away. Its core group of players will be approaching 100 games and at 22-23 years of age entering what will be the prime of their careers.
When this AFL creation all is grown up and strong enough to stand on its own two feet only then will the games head honchos realise the monster it has created.
Spare a thought for the long suffering fans of Richmond and Melbourne, clubs fancying their dreams of premiership glory in the coming years.
Saints and Bulldogs supporters may have to stretch that patience for yet another decade.
We all cheered and celebrated with the Suns after their inspired first win over Port Adelaide. Smiled in surprise and laughed happily as they defeated the Lions.
However, as the Gold Coast juggernaut gathers steam and begins to leaves the competition in its wake, the empathy of the football public will disappear in a flash.
Give it time, but the novelty of the new boys will soon wear off.