Gold Coast’s star draft pick-ups Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine have starred in today’s practice match against Brisbane, kicking goals and standing out to those in attendance.
The duo combined for three goals as the Suns dominated the Lions all day, winning 13. 8. (86) to 7. 11. (53).
AFL Nation commentator Benny Jones was at Metricon Stadium for the match and said Rankine in particular was the talk of the game.
“Rankine I was hugely impressed with. He doesn’t go to ground, he was very good in close, tight spaces and found himself on the scoreboard as well,” Jones told SEN.com.au.
“Rankine’s ability to create space and use the ball in close, he just stood out.”
Lukosius and Rankine were taken with picks two and three respectively, with the former pinned as the likely eventual replacement for co-captain Tom Lynch, who joined Richmond as a free agent.
“Lukosius was prominent throughout the first two of the six periods played,” Jones said.
“He kicked a goal from the boundary using the breeze and just looked a real threat aerially, good at ground level as well.
“He played a little further up the ground and certainly created some headaches for the Lions defenders early.
“They’re two top end draft picks everyone’s expecting big things from and from what I saw, they’re going to be a couple of shining lights this season.”
Suns big-man Peter Wright will also need to stand up in Lynch’s absence and he impressed today as well.
“Peter Wright probably took eight or nine marks and was dominant in the air,” Jones said.
“He now becomes their most important player forward of centre and he looks really good, really fit so that was a great sign for Gold Coast as well.”
The Suns could have a plethora of tall options to choose from, with mature age selection Chris Burgess also having a strong pre-season.
“The other one that caught my eye was Chris Burgess, one of the mature age draftees. He kicked a couple of goals and was strong in the air, but also later on in the game went back and might be the sort of player who’s a versatile type.”
“He could be a bolter for Round 1 as well. He could be a Supercoach smoky.”
For the Lions, Harris Andrews spent time up forward, while star signing Lachie Neale was quiet in the loss.
Most importantly, it appears both the Suns and the Lions exited the practice game unscathed.