Suns learning to step up in AFL: Eade

Jun 15, 2017 - 4:16 AM Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade says his young players are finally learning how to step up in the AFL and play as a team.

Aside from Gary Ablett, Jarrod Harbrow and Steven May, all of whom he described as "exceptional," Eade is pleased with the manner in which his players are helping each other on the field.

"There's plenty of room for individual improvements for a lot of our players, but the main good thing is that they're learning to share the load and play as a team," Eade said.

Their recent wins over Hawthorn and West Coast proved the Suns' lesser-known players can step up at the right time.

Shrugging off his poor form, Peter Wright stepped up for the team and kicked the match-winning goal against the Eagles and he's not the only player putting his hand up in the big moments.

In their most recent win over Hawthorn, Adam Saad rose to the occasion with his repeat efforts in defence critical in the Suns' stopping the Hawks fightback and securing a win.

The consistency and growth of players is something Eade has hammered home and feels this message is starting to sink in at the right time of the year.

"Players are becoming consistent with their performance week in, they're starting to believe we're going the right way about it," Eade said.

"In the next few weeks we don't play many teams that are in the top five, our first part of the draw was our hardest part of the year if you look at where teams are on the ladder."

Gold Coast currently sit in 13th spot on the ladder and will play Carlton, St Kilda and North Melbourne in the coming weeks.

Source: AAP