Latest news with #ToukMiller
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Suns chasing slice of Adelaide history in crunch clash
Gold Coast will lean on midfield depth in covering the loss of "irreplaceable" leader Touk Miller as they seek to end a long run of outs in Adelaide. Never in their history have the Suns won at Adelaide Oval, where they take on the third-placed Crows on Sunday in a clash with top-eight ramifications for both sides. Gold Coast have a barren 0-11 all-time record at the venue, including six losses from as many meetings with Adelaide, who coach Damien Hardwick declared the form team of the competition. "It's a formidable challenge, a hostile environment, but one that we're certainly looking forward to," Hardwick said on Friday. "The parameters of the ground are a little bit different, but we know if we play our best footy we're going to provide some headaches for the Crows. "In saying that, they're going to give us a few too." Gold Coast will seek to break the drought without experienced midfielder Miller, who will miss at least a month with a hamstring injury sustained in last week's upset of ladder-leaders Collingwood. "There's no other player in the league close to Touk in the way he can run both ways and the way he goes about his football," Hardwick said. "He's irreplaceable, so we won't replace a like for like. It will be a different look for us in that midfield mix. "But we still think we'll be very capable in that part of the ground. We've got a great mix of players that are capable of going through there." Hardwick echoed Crows counterpart Matthew Nicks's sentiments around the potentially fiery encounter between Riley Thilthorpe and Mac Andrew, declaring the personal battle a drawcard for the fixture. The pair repeatedly clashed during the Gold Coast's controversial one-point win in round four, when a bitter aftermath involved Suns defender Andrew getting in Thilthorpe's face. Thilthorpe is coming off a career-best six-goal haul in Adelaide's win over the Western Bulldogs. "They're two combative, competitive players and that's a thing that we love about sport; the competitive nature of individuals," Hardwick said. "They'll play on each other predominantly this week and they'll be playing on each other for the next 10 to 12 years, I'd imagine. "It's really exciting for not only Adelaide and the Gold Coast Suns, but for the AFL in general."
Herald Sun
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
SuperCoach AFL stats dossier: Top 10 movers in CBAs, kick-ins, time on ground in Round 18
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News. Centre Bounce Attendances played a pivotal role in shaping the scores for several players this round. Suns midfielder Touk Miller saw a significant score drop after being subbed out in the second quarter with a hamstring concern, attending 75 per cent fewer CBAs. In contrast, James Rowbottom experienced a surge in CBAs, jumping from six to 22, seeing his score skyrocket from 60 in Round 17 to 122. Josh Daicos delivered a monster 198-point game, aided by nine CBAs, despite a reduction in kick-ins (five to one). Meanwhile, Lachie Whitfield delighted SuperCoach owners by bouncing back to a triple-digit score in his 250th game. His 105 was bolstered by an increase in kick-ins after spending several weeks on the sidelines. For a detailed wrap-up of scores conceded by position from each club and the top 10 movers in key stats categories such as Centre Bounce Attendances, Kick-Ins, and Time on Ground, check out the full analysis below. Originally published as SuperCoach AFL stats dossier: CBAs, kick-ins, time on ground for Round 18
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Re-signed Rowell sets sights on striking Gold for Suns
Star midfielder Matt Rowell is determined to propel Gold Coast to a maiden AFL premiership after officially re-signing with the Suns for another two years. One of the best players off-contract in the AFL, the former No.1 draft pick has turned down big offers to return to his home state of Victoria in a major win for Gold Coast. Talent has drained out of the Suns since their inception in 2011, with Collingwood, Geelong and the Western Bulldogs all meeting with Rowell about a move during this year's trade period. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gold Coast SUNS ☀️ (@gcsuns) But the 24-year-old is staying put alongside his long-time friend and Gold Coast captain Noah Anderson, until at least the end of 2027. "I love this club and the opportunities I have had to develop as a person and player on the Gold Coast," Rowell said. "There's a real hunger for success from everyone at the club. We're not shying away from the fact we want to play finals and win premierships, and that's something I'm excited to be part of. "We are building something special. "We want to win and make the Gold Coast community proud, and I'm looking forward to playing my role in achieving that in the years to come." After injury hampered the early stages of his career in 2020 and 2021, Rowell has strung together 93 consecutive matches. He has formed a lethal midfield mix with Anderson and Touk Miller, putting the Suns in contention to play finals this year for the first time. "Matt has been an important part of our midfield for a number of seasons and it's fantastic for him to have signed on for a further two seasons," Suns talent and strategy boss Craig Cameron said.
News.com.au
16-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Gold Coast defender's gesture raises eyebrows as tempers boil over
The finger point from Gold Coast defender Nick Holman said it all. The Suns star was left furious after watching Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe awarded a controversial free kick during the Hawks' third quarter comeback in Thursday night's thriller in Darwin. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The Suns were given a huge scare when Hawthorn took the lead in the fourth quarter, but they kicked the final two goals of the game to win 16.8 (104) to 15.6 (96). It was the Suns' eighth straight win in at TIO Stadium. With the Hawks launching a comeback that saw them kick eight goals to two from late in the second term through to three-quarter time, frustrations exploded late in the term in the Hawthorn forward line. Newcombe's free-kick was the trigger that sparked an all-in melee. The 23-year-old went to ground after Suns star Touk Miller, playing in his 200th game, reached across his opponent's body during a marking contest inside the Hawks' forward 50m arc. You can watch the free kick in the video player above. After hearing the whistle blow, Miller's incredulous smile showed exactly how he felt about Newcombe's act. Holman then ran in and went a step further by barking in Newcombe's face and sticking his index finger out as the Hawks star went to line up for his shot on goal. Hawthorn's best-and-fairest winner from 2024 slotted the goal and then celebrated with a roar as Miller charged in to give him a bump. Several Suns players then ran in to give Newcombe a shove or two before things began to simmer. Another scuffle involving several players broke out after Blake Hardwick kicked his third goal for the night deep in the third quarter to give the Hawks the lead for the first time. As Hawthorn and Port Adelaide great Shaun Burgoyne noted, 'there was a lot of spice in that quarter off the ball'. Crows legend Eddie Betts said the Hawks appeared to be the team that benefited most from the physical battle. 'There is so much spice in it. The crowd was … going crazy. There was a big fight there,' Betts said on Fox Footy. 'But I think that is what got Hawthorn back into it, their energy and their spice to compete.' in the end the Suns got it done for their inspirational leader Miller. The milestone man got his chance to celebrate the occasion early on responding to a Hawk's opener with one from his own from the edge of the 50. Noah Anderson was huge for a second week in the Top End conditions and played out a 30 disposal game and had a wonder goal of his own. John Noble had 35 possessions in a defensive effort that helped the Suns secure an early lead and continued to show up all night.
7NEWS
16-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Four words from Touk Miller's dad used as inspiration for Gold Coast's win over Hawthorn
Touk Miller helped ice the contest in his milestone game after his father had delivered the inspiration for their enthralling eight-point defeat of Hawthorn in Darwin. The top-four sides took turns dominating on Thursday night at TIO Stadium, the Hawks leading in the final quarter after going behind by 32 points in the second term. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Touk Miller's dad delivers epic pump-up speech. But the Suns — chasing a maiden finals appearance — had the answers in a 16.8 (104) to 15.6 (96) win that jumped them ahead of the Hawks (7-3) into second on the live ladder with a 7-2 record. Miller (22 disposals, eight clearances, two goals) ran freely early, then popped up with a major that pushed the lead to eight points late in the final quarter. That came after father Wylie, an American soul singer and bass guitarist, delivered a rousing pump-up speech to the players the day before his son's 200th game. In the speech, Wylie said 'all gas, no brakes', which was used by Suns coach Damien Hardwick as inspiration. 'We did mention it, and used a great line from his dad — 'All gas, no brakes' — as inspiration,' Hardwick said. 'It's funny how the emotional connection can be of significant importance in a time of need. I thought our last quarter was very good. 'For the players to get up and drag themselves over the line for that special individual was quite a significant milestone.' The back-to-back wins over the Western Bulldogs and Hawks in Darwin has the Suns firmly on track to play finals for the first time in their history. 'We're excited to play against contenders and be on the winning end,' Hardwick said. 'It's a sign of the growth. We were disappointing in these matches last year, especially when challenged. 'We've still got a lot of home games to come. The exciting thing is that we win away. That's one of our aims. The guys have grown. 'This group is gaining belief, momentum and where we go is up to us.' Loading Tweet Sam Mitchell 'torn' after close loss Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has reminded his side that they're 'good but not great' after becoming the latest victims of the red-hot Gold Coast. Last season's Gold Coast spanking reduced the Hawks to 0-5, but sparked their resurgence that led to a tight, semi-final exit. Conscious of their progress since then - and the Suns' new-found legitimacy - Mitchell will leave Darwin with mixed emotions. 'I'm a bit torn,' Mitchell said. 'There's part of me, at 30-something points down that's pleased and proud but there's also a part that shows we're not where we want to be just yet. 'We've shown we're making progress in that direction but we've got work to do to beat the best sides. 'The Suns, here, are in that category. 'We're about where we deserve to be and that standard we hold ourselves to is getting higher and higher. 'This time last year it was easy to improve. Now we're a good side, but we're not a great side. 'That's the challenge now, what we accept of each other, just need to continue to make those gains.' Hawthorn will host ladder-leaders and defending premiers Brisbane, a team they've beaten on each of their last five attempts. 'The goal is to compete with the really good sides when it really matters. Today was an opportunity, and our next game is against Brisbane, so we get another chance,' he said. Mitchell praised inexperienced ruckman Ned Reeves in his battle with Gold Coast's dual rucks Jarrod Witts and Ned Moyle and gushed at Nick Watson's first-half impact. The 20-year-old kicked three goals despite the Suns' midfield dominance but was unable to add to that tally in the second half. 'When the rest aren't going that well it's quite hard to be the one that stands out and does the right thing at the right time,' Mitchell said. 'Without him in the first 40 minutes, we were well and truly out of it. 'His challenge is to do it for longer ... that's what comes when you're 20 years old.'
