SATURDAY'S battle of the expansion clubs looks like a midfield mismatch, but Gold Coast utility Matt Rosa says it's a matchup the Suns are excited about.
Greater Western Sydney heads to Metricon Stadium minus midfield ace Dylan Shiel (groin), but is sitting pretty in second place on the back of incredible depth through the centre of the ground.
Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly, Tom Scully, Ryan Griffen, Lachie Whitfield – the list goes on … and on.
It's in vast contrast to the luckless Suns who will have Gary Ablett, David Swallow, Jaeger O'Meara, Dion Prestia, Michael Rischitelli and Aaron Hall all watching from the grandstand.
But sometimes in disappointment comes opportunity, and Rosa says that's exactly how Gold Coast has treated it.
After being a member of West Coast's losing Grand Final team last year, the 29-year-old took the long trip east hoping to fast-track the development of the Suns' young list.
Despite the run of bad luck – he's missed six matches himself with two separate hamstring injuries – Rosa says the team has remained positive.
"We're excited about the games we've got coming up, especially Saturday against a side that's absolutely flying and got great inside and outside balance in their midfield," he said.
"They're hard and tough but also got some speed on the outside.
"These are the games you want to play in, you want to test yourselves against the best sides.
"They're as good as anyone going around and obviously they've got a very good ruckman who's in good form.
"It's a great opportunity to see where we're at. I think those young guys will be pretty excited to take them on."
Those "young guys" Rosa is referring to are Touk Miller (19) and Alex Sexton (22) who have taken their midfield chances in both hands in recent weeks.
Rosa, Jack Martin and the recalled Mitch Hallahan will also share time through the middle.
"It's an exciting future for the club if we've got those guys standing up now, because when we get those other (injured) guys back there's going to be great competition for spots.
"You look at the best sides, that's what they've got, great depth, particularly through the midfield."
Rosa said his first year in Queensland had gone quickly, but had lived up to what he'd hoped for.
"Even in the last six weeks just the improvement of some of the guys has me really optimistic about the future and the direction we're heading," he said.
"They're learning every week and the training standards have really lifted as the year's gone on.
"You've got to put in the work to get the results and the boys have realised that and done something about it and it's showing out on the weekends.
"We've definitely improved over the last seven to eight weeks, even with the injury list."
