Latest news with #Witts
The Advertiser
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Witts chuffed but still thirsty after high AFL praise
Jarrod Witts is still waiting for that coffee as the Gold Coast ruckman shrugs off the high praise ahead of his next duel. The Suns tall was in top form in Saturday's 66-point defeat of Brisbane, prompting coach Damien Hardwick to push his case for All-Australian honours. Witts polled two votes in the Marcus Ashcroft Medal count won by Matt Rowell, who had a career-high 37 touches and a staggering 15 clearances on Saturday. Adamant Witts is under-appreciated around the league, Hardwick said the 32-year-old 198-gamer deserved to be shouted coffees daily by the midfielders he creates for. "You want that recognition," Witts said on Tuesday. "Definitely prefer it that way than him saying I'm going no good. "I try to keep it as simple as possible, to just compete and to get my guys in the game. "On the weekend it worked out quite well, they all had great games. "Simple's good and it's working at the moment." Captain Noah Anderson (33 disposals) was crucial too, breaking the game open late in the second quarter before being tagged in the second half. Witts said the emerging pair were terrific teammates, albeit a little tight. "I love those guys, but it's tough getting a coffee out of Noah and Rowelly," Witts smirked. "He (Rowell) owes me more than one, that's for sure." Though somewhat bashful off the field, the 209cm Witts has become a focal point of the Suns since his move from Collingwood in 2016. This season has reaped a club-best 12 wins since the club's 2011 admission that has them on the cusp of a maiden finals campaign . Gold Coast (12-6) are eighth, but are only four points behind fourth with a game in hand and face four of their last five games against bottom-eight sides. The first of those is against Richmond on Saturday at Carrara. The Tigers (5-14) boast an early-season upset victory over the Suns at Marvel Stadium. Happy to deflect talk about his All-Australian chances, Witts already has eyes on his next assignment in Tigers veteran Toby Nankervis. "He's been a great player for a long time. I really enjoy coming up against the best and he's one of those," Witts said. Jarrod Witts is still waiting for that coffee as the Gold Coast ruckman shrugs off the high praise ahead of his next duel. The Suns tall was in top form in Saturday's 66-point defeat of Brisbane, prompting coach Damien Hardwick to push his case for All-Australian honours. Witts polled two votes in the Marcus Ashcroft Medal count won by Matt Rowell, who had a career-high 37 touches and a staggering 15 clearances on Saturday. Adamant Witts is under-appreciated around the league, Hardwick said the 32-year-old 198-gamer deserved to be shouted coffees daily by the midfielders he creates for. "You want that recognition," Witts said on Tuesday. "Definitely prefer it that way than him saying I'm going no good. "I try to keep it as simple as possible, to just compete and to get my guys in the game. "On the weekend it worked out quite well, they all had great games. "Simple's good and it's working at the moment." Captain Noah Anderson (33 disposals) was crucial too, breaking the game open late in the second quarter before being tagged in the second half. Witts said the emerging pair were terrific teammates, albeit a little tight. "I love those guys, but it's tough getting a coffee out of Noah and Rowelly," Witts smirked. "He (Rowell) owes me more than one, that's for sure." Though somewhat bashful off the field, the 209cm Witts has become a focal point of the Suns since his move from Collingwood in 2016. This season has reaped a club-best 12 wins since the club's 2011 admission that has them on the cusp of a maiden finals campaign . Gold Coast (12-6) are eighth, but are only four points behind fourth with a game in hand and face four of their last five games against bottom-eight sides. The first of those is against Richmond on Saturday at Carrara. The Tigers (5-14) boast an early-season upset victory over the Suns at Marvel Stadium. Happy to deflect talk about his All-Australian chances, Witts already has eyes on his next assignment in Tigers veteran Toby Nankervis. "He's been a great player for a long time. I really enjoy coming up against the best and he's one of those," Witts said. Jarrod Witts is still waiting for that coffee as the Gold Coast ruckman shrugs off the high praise ahead of his next duel. The Suns tall was in top form in Saturday's 66-point defeat of Brisbane, prompting coach Damien Hardwick to push his case for All-Australian honours. Witts polled two votes in the Marcus Ashcroft Medal count won by Matt Rowell, who had a career-high 37 touches and a staggering 15 clearances on Saturday. Adamant Witts is under-appreciated around the league, Hardwick said the 32-year-old 198-gamer deserved to be shouted coffees daily by the midfielders he creates for. "You want that recognition," Witts said on Tuesday. "Definitely prefer it that way than him saying I'm going no good. "I try to keep it as simple as possible, to just compete and to get my guys in the game. "On the weekend it worked out quite well, they all had great games. "Simple's good and it's working at the moment." Captain Noah Anderson (33 disposals) was crucial too, breaking the game open late in the second quarter before being tagged in the second half. Witts said the emerging pair were terrific teammates, albeit a little tight. "I love those guys, but it's tough getting a coffee out of Noah and Rowelly," Witts smirked. "He (Rowell) owes me more than one, that's for sure." Though somewhat bashful off the field, the 209cm Witts has become a focal point of the Suns since his move from Collingwood in 2016. This season has reaped a club-best 12 wins since the club's 2011 admission that has them on the cusp of a maiden finals campaign . Gold Coast (12-6) are eighth, but are only four points behind fourth with a game in hand and face four of their last five games against bottom-eight sides. The first of those is against Richmond on Saturday at Carrara. The Tigers (5-14) boast an early-season upset victory over the Suns at Marvel Stadium. Happy to deflect talk about his All-Australian chances, Witts already has eyes on his next assignment in Tigers veteran Toby Nankervis. "He's been a great player for a long time. I really enjoy coming up against the best and he's one of those," Witts said.
Perth Now
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Witts chuffed but still thirsty after high AFL praise
Jarrod Witts is still waiting for that coffee as the Gold Coast ruckman shrugs off the high praise ahead of his next duel. The Suns tall was in top form in Saturday's 66-point defeat of Brisbane, prompting coach Damien Hardwick to push his case for All-Australian honours. Witts polled two votes in the Marcus Ashcroft Medal count won by Matt Rowell, who had a career-high 37 touches and a staggering 15 clearances on Saturday. Adamant Witts is under-appreciated around the league, Hardwick said the 32-year-old 198-gamer deserved to be shouted coffees daily by the midfielders he creates for. "You want that recognition," Witts said on Tuesday. "Definitely prefer it that way than him saying I'm going no good. "I try to keep it as simple as possible, to just compete and to get my guys in the game. "On the weekend it worked out quite well, they all had great games. "Simple's good and it's working at the moment." Captain Noah Anderson (33 disposals) was crucial too, breaking the game open late in the second quarter before being tagged in the second half. Witts said the emerging pair were terrific teammates, albeit a little tight. "I love those guys, but it's tough getting a coffee out of Noah and Rowelly," Witts smirked. "He (Rowell) owes me more than one, that's for sure." Though somewhat bashful off the field, the 209cm Witts has become a focal point of the Suns since his move from Collingwood in 2016. This season has reaped a club-best 12 wins since the club's 2011 admission that has them on the cusp of a maiden finals campaign . Gold Coast (12-6) are eighth, but are only four points behind fourth with a game in hand and face four of their last five games against bottom-eight sides. The first of those is against Richmond on Saturday at Carrara. The Tigers (5-14) boast an early-season upset victory over the Suns at Marvel Stadium. Happy to deflect talk about his All-Australian chances, Witts already has eyes on his next assignment in Tigers veteran Toby Nankervis. "He's been a great player for a long time. I really enjoy coming up against the best and he's one of those," Witts said.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Finals beckon, but Suns keep their Witts about them
Jarrod Witts' rucking wares are being heralded as All-Australian worthy, while Gold Coast, in reach of a top-four finish, keep their feet in new AFL territory. The Suns' historic 66-point QClash victory on Saturday gave them, with five regular-season games to play, a club-best 12th win this season. Four of those games come against teams not in finals contention, leaving the Suns in the hunt for a top-four finish in what would be their maiden post-season foray. Witts, two games shy of his 200th AFL game, has been critical in that run. The 32-year-old helped turn the screws against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday as the Suns' midfield upstaged the Lions' for their biggest QClash win. Unprompted, Hardwick launched a campaign for the ruckman post-game. "Can I make a statement about Jarrod Witts? Can we start having a conversation?" he posed when asked about the performance of Witts' star on-ballers Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson. "I watched TV the other day, they had a list of ruckmen that are in the mix. Go and have a look at what our guy's done to all those guys." Before Saturday, Witts had collected the seventh-most coaches' votes of all ruckmen, his 26 dwarfed by leaders Brodie Grundy (65) and Max Gawn (59). "Have the conversation about how good this guy's become,": Hardwick said. "These guys (Suns midfielders) should be buying him coffee every day. Unbelievable. "I'd love to have him as All-Australian … I wouldn't pick another one." The Suns play Richmond, Carlton, GWS, Essendon and Port Adelaide in the run to a potential first finals campaign. Only the Giants are a shot of joining them, although emotion will be high when the Power play their final game under long-time mentor Ken Hinkley. "It is every side's challenge, isn't it," Hardwick said. "The sides we are talking about, they are going to have their moments and they are going to play well. "At various stages we haven't beaten those sides we should have beaten and that is going to be our next challenge. "If we concentrate firmly on the next shift, where our feet are right now, we are going to be OK." Jarrod Witts' rucking wares are being heralded as All-Australian worthy, while Gold Coast, in reach of a top-four finish, keep their feet in new AFL territory. The Suns' historic 66-point QClash victory on Saturday gave them, with five regular-season games to play, a club-best 12th win this season. Four of those games come against teams not in finals contention, leaving the Suns in the hunt for a top-four finish in what would be their maiden post-season foray. Witts, two games shy of his 200th AFL game, has been critical in that run. The 32-year-old helped turn the screws against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday as the Suns' midfield upstaged the Lions' for their biggest QClash win. Unprompted, Hardwick launched a campaign for the ruckman post-game. "Can I make a statement about Jarrod Witts? Can we start having a conversation?" he posed when asked about the performance of Witts' star on-ballers Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson. "I watched TV the other day, they had a list of ruckmen that are in the mix. Go and have a look at what our guy's done to all those guys." Before Saturday, Witts had collected the seventh-most coaches' votes of all ruckmen, his 26 dwarfed by leaders Brodie Grundy (65) and Max Gawn (59). "Have the conversation about how good this guy's become,": Hardwick said. "These guys (Suns midfielders) should be buying him coffee every day. Unbelievable. "I'd love to have him as All-Australian … I wouldn't pick another one." The Suns play Richmond, Carlton, GWS, Essendon and Port Adelaide in the run to a potential first finals campaign. Only the Giants are a shot of joining them, although emotion will be high when the Power play their final game under long-time mentor Ken Hinkley. "It is every side's challenge, isn't it," Hardwick said. "The sides we are talking about, they are going to have their moments and they are going to play well. "At various stages we haven't beaten those sides we should have beaten and that is going to be our next challenge. "If we concentrate firmly on the next shift, where our feet are right now, we are going to be OK." Jarrod Witts' rucking wares are being heralded as All-Australian worthy, while Gold Coast, in reach of a top-four finish, keep their feet in new AFL territory. The Suns' historic 66-point QClash victory on Saturday gave them, with five regular-season games to play, a club-best 12th win this season. Four of those games come against teams not in finals contention, leaving the Suns in the hunt for a top-four finish in what would be their maiden post-season foray. Witts, two games shy of his 200th AFL game, has been critical in that run. The 32-year-old helped turn the screws against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday as the Suns' midfield upstaged the Lions' for their biggest QClash win. Unprompted, Hardwick launched a campaign for the ruckman post-game. "Can I make a statement about Jarrod Witts? Can we start having a conversation?" he posed when asked about the performance of Witts' star on-ballers Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson. "I watched TV the other day, they had a list of ruckmen that are in the mix. Go and have a look at what our guy's done to all those guys." Before Saturday, Witts had collected the seventh-most coaches' votes of all ruckmen, his 26 dwarfed by leaders Brodie Grundy (65) and Max Gawn (59). "Have the conversation about how good this guy's become,": Hardwick said. "These guys (Suns midfielders) should be buying him coffee every day. Unbelievable. "I'd love to have him as All-Australian … I wouldn't pick another one." The Suns play Richmond, Carlton, GWS, Essendon and Port Adelaide in the run to a potential first finals campaign. Only the Giants are a shot of joining them, although emotion will be high when the Power play their final game under long-time mentor Ken Hinkley. "It is every side's challenge, isn't it," Hardwick said. "The sides we are talking about, they are going to have their moments and they are going to play well. "At various stages we haven't beaten those sides we should have beaten and that is going to be our next challenge. "If we concentrate firmly on the next shift, where our feet are right now, we are going to be OK."
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Finals beckon, but Suns keep their Witts about them
Jarrod Witts' rucking wares are being heralded as All-Australian worthy, while Gold Coast, in reach of a top-four finish, keep their feet in new AFL territory. The Suns' historic 66-point QClash victory on Saturday gave them, with five regular-season games to play, a club-best 12th win this season. Four of those games come against teams not in finals contention, leaving the Suns in the hunt for a top-four finish in what would be their maiden post-season foray. Witts, two games shy of his 200th AFL game, has been critical in that run. The 32-year-old helped turn the screws against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday as the Suns' midfield upstaged the Lions' for their biggest QClash win. Unprompted, Hardwick launched a campaign for the ruckman post-game. "Can I make a statement about Jarrod Witts? Can we start having a conversation?" he posed when asked about the performance of Witts' star on-ballers Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson. "I watched TV the other day, they had a list of ruckmen that are in the mix. Go and have a look at what our guy's done to all those guys." Before Saturday, Witts had collected the seventh-most coaches' votes of all ruckmen, his 26 dwarfed by leaders Brodie Grundy (65) and Max Gawn (59). "Have the conversation about how good this guy's become,": Hardwick said. "These guys (Suns midfielders) should be buying him coffee every day. Unbelievable. "I'd love to have him as All-Australian … I wouldn't pick another one." The Suns play Richmond, Carlton, GWS, Essendon and Port Adelaide in the run to a potential first finals campaign. Only the Giants are a shot of joining them, although emotion will be high when the Power play their final game under long-time mentor Ken Hinkley. "It is every side's challenge, isn't it," Hardwick said. "The sides we are talking about, they are going to have their moments and they are going to play well. "At various stages we haven't beaten those sides we should have beaten and that is going to be our next challenge. "If we concentrate firmly on the next shift, where our feet are right now, we are going to be OK."
7NEWS
4 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Suns coach Damien Hardwick singles out unheralded star Jarrod Witts for big praise after win over Lions
Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has singled out Jarrod Witts for special praise after the Suns cemented their spot in the top eight with a historic 66-point win over Brisbane. The Suns had lost 12 of the past 13 Queensland derbies, but flipped the script in a dominant 20.10 (130) to 9.10 (64) romp at a wet People First Stadium. Captain Noah Anderson (33 touches) did the early damage, while Matt Rowell (37 touches, 14 clearances, 12 tackles) won the Marcus Ashcroft Medal for best on ground. Hardwick's selection calls were also vindicated with the recalled Alex Davies (30 touches, 10 tackles) and Jy Farrar (three goals) making strong contributions in their first senior games of the season. Ben Long rediscovered his early-season form with four majors and Bailey Humphrey (three goals, eight tackles) also shone, but Hardwick was quick to point to ruckman Witts after the match. 'Can I make a statement about Jarrod Witts ... I watched TV the other day that had a list of ruckmen that are in the mix, go and have a look at what our guy has done to those guys,' he said. 'Start having the conversation about how good this guy has become. 'He's been unbelievable, so just have a deeper dive into it to see what he's actually become.' Melbourne captain Max Gawn, Sydney star Brodie Grundy, North Melbourne big man Tristan Xerri and Collingwood gun Darcy Cameron are widely talked about as the likely candidates in the mix for All-Australian. But Hardwick said he wouldn't take any of them ahead of Witts. 'I'd love to have him as All-Australian, I wouldn't pick another ruckman over this guy.' Victory, in front of 20,833 fans, was the Suns' biggest in a QClash, while their 12th win this season is a club-high. The win also gave the Suns a 2-1 record against the competition's top three sides in their past three games. Gold Coast now with just one top-eight opponent in their final five regular-season games. Meanwhile, the premiers next travel to the MCG to face table-topping Collingwood as part of a tough run to September. Brisbane started well with goals to Callum Ah Chee and Neale, before the Suns, fresh off an Adelaide battering a week earlier, responded. Witts set the tone at the bounce, while Davies threw his 193cm frame around and fit-again Sam Collins imposed himself in defence. The contest was drifting in the second quarter until skipper Anderson again took it by the scruff with a goal and assist inside a minute. His first drifted over the pack and was toed on the line by Farrar, before he produced a repeat of his Collingwood match-winner a fortnight earlier, streaking from the centre square and nailing a major from 50 metres after a neat one-two. The Suns' fine kicking continued when Long threaded the needle, creating a 33-point half-time buffer as heavy rain started to fall. It didn't slow Farrar, who benefited from another clever Witts tap to squeeze through his third goal. Rowell was running freely in a dominant third term, with Ben Ainsworth and Long's goals swelling the lead beyond 50 points to effectively kill the contest. Neale still amassed 36 touches, while Cam Rayner kicked three late goals to go with 19 disposals for Brisbane. Lions utility Conor McKenna (hamstring) was substituted at half-time.
