TEENAGER Will Brodie is making it more and more difficult for Suns coach Rodney Eade to leave him out of Gold Coast's round one team.
For the second week running, Brodie put in a strong performance in Sunday's narrow JLT Community Series win over Essendon, kicking two goals and racking up 18 disposals.
While it's still unlikely the No.9 draft pick will line up against the Brisbane Lions on March 25, Brodie is making Eade think. Hard.
He kicked Gold Coast's first two goals against the Bombers to arrest an early four-goal deficit, then burrowed in to win 11 contested possessions and four clearances.
"He's certainly put himself in the frame for round one, there's no doubt about that," Eade said.
Gold Coast has Gary Ablett, Jarryd Lyons and Aaron Hall to come back into its midfield, and while Brodie tired late in the game, Eade said he was nudging his way up the pecking order.
"Young lads, it's a fairly hectic pace of the game in round one and round two, it's the quickest part of the year except for finals," he said.
"He's a tough player, he's going to be a really good player for us.
"If he does miss out, he's not far away."
GC v Ess: Watch the full match highlights
Brodie's performance was one of many good ones by the Suns, who snuck home with a three-point victory.
Eade said being able to grind out a win – albeit just pre-season – was a good trait for a team that has struggled in recent years.
They won the inside 50s (59-40), but had trouble putting it on the scoreboard.
"There is some work to do," Eade said.
"We've got about eight or nine to come back in and about five or six of them can play mid or forward, so we'll have some talent coming back in, which should help that.
"Our decision-making at times was average."
Essendon coach John Worsfold had some similar laments, as his team was smashed around the contest, particularly in the opening half.
WATCH: John Worsfold's full post-match media conference
"Our ability to defend under real pressure was outstanding at times, and some of our rebound from the back half, we were really pleased with the ball movement," Worsfold said.
"The reason those things had to be good was because we were giving Gold Coast first use of the ball and field position, and we had to do our work from there.
"The way the boys adjusted after half-time and stepped up to the challenge in addressing that was a real positive as well."
Another couple of positives for the Bombers were the form of first-gamer Josh Begley, and the minimal damage to stand-in skipper Michael Hurley, who "tweaked" his ankle late in the game.
Worsfold said Hurley "didn't look too bad" and he would be "up and going soon".
Begley, the No.31 pick from last year's draft, stole the show with his four goals.
"He's a young kid who has worked extremely hard over the last 12 months at his footy and gave himself the opportunity to get drafted, and his first game out there today was impressive," Worsfold said.
"He looked really dangerous."
