Sport
Season over for favourite Sun
The Gold Coast SUNS’ finals hopes have suffered a blow with captain Gary Ablett opting for season-ending surgery following his shoulder dislocation in Round 16.
Ablett will have a shoulder reconstruction following the injury, which occurred when he was tackled strongly by Collingwood’s Brent Macaffer during Gold Coast’s 5-point win against the Magpies.
The injury was a sour note on an otherwise positive afternoon for the SUNS. As well as defeating Collingwood in a stirring win, the team played in front of a record crowd at Metricon Stadium. More than 24,000 fans were there to see Gold Coast hang on to take the points, despite injury concerns and a restricted bench.
The news is not only a knock for the SUNS on the verge of their maiden finals appearance, but is terrible luck for Ablett who was highly fancied to win the 2014 Brownlow medal – a win which would have put him in elite company as just the fifth player in history to take home three best and fairest awards. Other three-time winners are Haydn Bunton Sr, Dick Reynolds, Bob Skilton and Ian Stewart.
Ablett has been a durable player over his 13 year career missing just 18 games over his past 12 seasons, including just five matches in his four years with the SUNS.
The challenge now for the young Gold Coast side is to win without its inspirational captain and best player. The SUNS have a good draw for the remainder of 2014, playing six of their last seven matches against sides currently below them on the ladder including three matches at Metricon Stadium.
The biggest challenge for the SUNS will come in Round 21 when they host third-placed Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium. Click here to purchase tickets for the remaining Gold Coast SUNS home games at Metricon Stadium.
