AFL Rising Star Round 21: Gold Coast Suns key forward Ethan Read on Nick Riewoldt comparisons

The Australian

15 hours ago

Tagged with the unenviable title of 'Unicorn' before he had played a single senior game, Gold Coast key forward Ethan Read says it has nevertheless been hard work and hunger which has earned him a regular place in the Suns' best-23 this season.
The 20-year-old Palm Beach Currumbin product capped a strong month of consistent form by booting 2.2 and clunking nine marks in the Suns' rout of Richmond at the weekend, earning him the AFL Rising Star nomination for Round 21.
Read's cameo offered another glimpse into a not-too-distant future in which the 202cm spearhead, who also boasts the 10th-fastest 2km time trial (5m56s) in AFL combine history, harnesses his raw athleticism to become one of the game's most versatile threats.
Ethan Read in action against the Tigers. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images.
'It feels good to obviously get a bit of recognition,' Read said on Monday of his Rising Star nomination.
'I've put in a mountain of work over the past 6-8 weeks so to get that recognition is always good.'
The AFL world is often impatient when it comes to players harnessing their potential and Read says he still has plenty of growth left to come.
But with a checklist of improvements in his back pocket and a coaching staff that sees greatness within him, the Suns Academy graduate has made giant strides since joining the club as the ninth overall pick in the 2023 draft.
Since the start of last season Read has packed on more than 15kg to his two-metre frame while still retaining an elite running ability perhaps not seen from a key forward since St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt.
'Coming into the AFL there is a different level of physicality and I've gone to work on that … trying to stand up against these more physical defenders, that is one of the main things I need to focus on and I think I'm getting better at that every week,' he said.
Nick Riewoldt of the Saints celebrates a goal during the Round one AFL match between St Kilda Saints and the Melbourne Demons played at Etihad Stadium on Saturday 25th March, 2017. Picture: Mark Dadswell
'I think as much as I can use my strengths to my advantage it will only pay off. He (Riewoldt) is obviously a very good player and was for so long. He is someone I try to model my game off. Just outworking my opponent, grinding them down slowly.
'I definitely think my goal kicking needs a bit of work … I've been a bit inaccurate in front of goal this year (15.16) and that is something I'm working on.'
Before the Suns settled on Read as a key forward there was a genuine belief he could play just about any key position on the ground, such was his versatility.
Although he was considered the top ruck prospect in the 2023 draft class, the Suns were already well-stocked in that area with Jarrod Witts and Ned Moyle.
But with coach Damien Hardwick preferring to play just one out-and-out ruckman, the onus has often fallen to Read to spell Witts when the Suns' incumbent tap artist is taking a breather.
The two gentle giants have formed a close bond over the past two years, helped by the fact they live around the corner from each other.
Read said the two catch up after every game to reflect and just talk about life.
Ethan Read of the Suns and Peter Wright of the Bombers compete in the ruck during the round 17 AFL match between Essendon Bombers and Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium on July 05, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. Picture:.
'It's a little ritual we have that I love,' he said.
'Since (Witts) stepped down from the captaincy I think he has loved seeing the younger boys develop and he has taken us under his wing. It's something I know he enjoys.
'He helps me with footy but (also) … how to be a good person. He's a good father figure for me. He's a very good person and I love hanging around him.'