Pair of Suns pressing for AFL selection

A pair of Gold Coast players are putting selection pressure on the AFL side after scintillating showings in the club's VFL practice match on Friday night.

Forward-midfielder Jake Rogers returned from a three-week hamstring layoff in fine style, racking up plenty of the footy in a ‘sharp' midfield performance.

“He played a full game,” Gold Coast VFL coach and head of development Tate Kaesler told Zero Hanger.

“His speed and sharpness around the contest was something that really shined and he was really good by hand and foot.”

The Suns Academy graduate has played nine games in each of his two years at AFL level, with just one of those games coming after Round 9 last year.

Injury interrupted the middle of his season before he honed his understanding of a half forward role in the VFL late in the season.

He was named in the best in four of his seven state league games last year.

“He looked really sharp and looked like he would be ready to take the next step if there is a position available,” Kaesler added.

“If not, we'll get another full game into him this weekend and keep putting his case forward.

“The structure forward role is one of the harder roles in footy. 

“You've got to be at the front of lots of packs and get up and down the ground so towards the back end there he was starting to get a good grasp of it and did a good job in the off-season of keeping fit and was training well and booking sharp and his injury came at the wrong time. 

“I don't think he'll take long to push his case and hopefully we'll see him back at AFL level shortly.”

Ned Moyle was also a clear standout, using the ruck rule changes to his advantage to dominate combative VFL team of the year ruck Brayden Crossley.

Entering his sixth year on the list, he has played just 13 AFL games but the noise coming out of the Suns is that he is putting mounting pressure on former captain Jarrod Witts' spot in the lineup.

“After another pre-season he looks fitter and the one thing we're challenging him on is his work around the ground and impact,” Kaesler said.

“I think he had four or five shots on goal and his ability to help out defence and help out forward at times and cause havoc (was impressive).

“Part of his progression is exploring his forward craft to give him other avenues to get in the AFL side. 

“His ruck raft has always been really good and more importantly, his ability to get around the ground and impact contests we've challenged him on.”

Despite their performances, squeezing them in will be a challenge, given the Suns walloped Geelong on Friday and got through with a clean bill of health.

Kaesler also provided an update on the trio of draftees who missed out on Opening Round AFL selection.

Dylan Patterson and Avery Thomas played off half-back, while the versatile Koby Coulson was used as a half forward.

“(Dylan and Avery) are showing some great signs as first year players in understanding our system and how we want to play,” Kaesler said.

“They've got some amazing attributes, both are super fast, super powerful athletes, it's just a matter of tidying up a few things before they start to put their name in front of the coaches. 

“We've been impressed with their pre-season and looking forward to their progression at VFL level and pushing for AFL selection. 

“Koby Coulson had a fair bit of the footy: he uses the footy well (and) has an amazing work rate.”