There has been much to like about the Suns in 2020. After losing 18 consecutive games to claim the wooden spoon last year, they have been a much more competitive outfit this season. It means that after nine games they sit within striking distance of a finals berth that would have seemed laughable at the beginning of the season. How has Bozza graded their start to the season?
Can’t get enough footy? Check out more of our Pinch Hitters Mid Season Report Cards here.
What’s gone right
Their own version of Young Talent Time has been particularly successful in 2020. Whether it be the debuts of Matt Rowell and Izak Rankine or the continual emergence of Ben King, everywhere you look, there is a young Sun showing promise. The future is most certainly bright if they can improve their player retention rates of recent seasons.
Stuart Dew’s game plan is starting to pay dividends. As a result, unlike in the past, the Suns have been in every game they’ve played since the restart. Dew gets bonus points for it being one of the more attractive styles going in a competition full of negative footy.
What’s gone wrong
Matt Rowell’s injury was a major blow. In just three games, after the resumption, Rowell announced himself as an elite midfielder. His injury deprived the Suns of his impact and the football world a fairytale debut season story.
In a season in which they have already exceeded their win tally of the previous campaign, it feels a little wrong to suggest they blew the opportunity to win two more games. The cold hard facts of the matter are that this is the case though, with their final quarters against Melbourne and the Bulldogs keeping them from a place in the eight after nine rounds.
Standout player
Ben King
With Matt Rowell rendered a spectator after his shoulder injury against Geelong, we feel the Suns 20-year-old key forward has been the standout in the club’s rise in 2020. Top Ten for scoring shots, he provides an incredible target for his midfielders to target and his small forwards to feast at the feet of. The scary thing for opposition defenders is the fact he is only going to get better with a couple more pre-seasons sure to add more strength to the arsenal of a player already blessed with an abundance of ability.
Run home
| Rd 10 | St Kilda | Metricon Stadium |
| Rd 11 | Essendon | Metricon Stadium |
| Rd 12 | Richmond | The Gabba |
| Rd 13 | Carlton | TIO Stadium |
| ? | Brisbane | ? |
| ? | Collingwood | ? |
| ? | Hawthorn | ? |
| ? | North Melbourne | ? |
With only three games remaining against current Top Eight opposition, the Suns will fancy their chances of a strong finish to the season. A tricky trio of matches to start the back half of the season may have an impact though.
Final Grade
A
The Suns have well and truly exceeded expectations to this point of the season. Their rise reflected in the fact that the pre-season fancy for the wooden spoon is now receiving criticism for dropping games ‘they should have won’.
Can’t get enough footy? Check out more of our Pinch Hitters Mid Season Report Cards here.