Gold Coast Suns captain Gary Ablett says his younger teammates need to start leading if they want to win football matches.
Ablett, who returned from injury two weeks ago says Gold Coast’s youth brigade stepped up against Fremantle amidst a number of senior absences, but then went missing against the GWS and the Bulldogs in the last fortnight.
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“I think when I wasn’t there (against Fremantle) and obviously Risch (Michael Rischitelli) wasn’t there and (Nathan) Bock went down," said Ablett.
"It did give an opportunity for those younger guys to say ‘a lot of those senior players aren’t out here playing this game’ (and) they had to look around and say ‘it’s up to us younger boys’ to take ownership."
The Brownlow medallist says that the Suns’ younger players went missing in the loss to the league newcomers GWS and they need to stand up if the Suns are to challenge for wins.
“The week against Greater Western Sydney… the talk definitely dropped and it was like the younger boys kind of feel like now that the senior boys are back they were going to take over the role of leading us (Gold Coast) out here and communicating and setting up structures."
“It’s important we have 22 leaders out there every week.”
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The Suns have been hit by injuries to senior level players including Nathan Bock (knee - season) and Jarrad Harbrow (Elbow - 4-5 weeks) and talented youngsters Brandon Matera (Foot - 1-2 weeks), Charlie Dixon (Cheekbone - 4-6 weeks) and David Swallow (Knee - 6-8 weeks).
Ablett says that the injuries put the onus on younger players to play hard.
“We do (have injuries) but at the same time I think it gives the opportunity for other guys to step in and take their place.”
“We’ve got to learn to become a good side when some of our better players are out.”
The Brownlow medallist says that the Suns’ younger players went missing in the loss to the league newcomers GWS and they need to stand up if the Suns are to challenge for wins.
“The week against Greater Western Sydney… the talk definitely dropped and it was like the younger boys kind of feel like now that the senior boys are back they were going to take over the role of leading us (Gold Coast) out here and communicating and setting up structures."
“It’s important we have 22 leaders out there every week.”
[ Related: In The Mix ]
The Suns have been hit by injuries to senior level players including Nathan Bock (knee - season) and Jarrad Harbrow (Elbow - 4-5 weeks) and talented youngsters Brandon Matera (Foot - 1-2 weeks), Charlie Dixon (Cheekbone - 4-6 weeks) and David Swallow (Knee - 6-8 weeks).
Ablett says that the injuries put the onus on younger players to play hard.
“We do (have injuries) but at the same time I think it gives the opportunity for other guys to step in and take their place.”
“We’ve got to learn to become a good side when some of our better players are out.”
