The loss of Paddy Ryder has Gold Coast Suns coach Stuart Dew wary of an “unpredictable” St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
The Saints will be without Ryder for their next two games after the star ruckman was suspended for his high bump on Hawthorn defender Will Day last Sunday at the MCG.
However, Dew was taking little solace from Ryder’s absence this weekend.
“He’s an unbelievable player and … he has given us trouble before, but they do have options to replace him,” Dew said on Thursday.
“In some ways they could be more unpredictable without him.
“We try not to think that one player can influence a result too much and from our players’ mindset, we don’t want to get into that space.
“We also have key players out. We want to promote we’re playing a footy club and a really good one at that.”
Confidence is high in the Gold Coast camp after the Suns ended Carlton’s unbeaten start to the season with a 30-point win at Metricon Stadium last Sunday.
“Last week Carlton was one of the form teams in the competition and St Kilda are now,” Dew said.
“We want to play an exciting brand. There’s lots of good football being played, but there’s a core element there where we want to get the job done as well.
“We match up well (with St Kilda) and play a similar style. There are a couple games (in our history) where we should have closed out and didn’t, but both teams are different to those games.”
Dew is yet to settle on a replacement for the injured Jack Lukosius (knee), and welcomed the “flexibility” that gave him options on what type of player would come into the Suns’ 22.
“Whether we bring in another forward or mid, or even squeeze in another defender and shuffle a little bit – we’ve been working for this position where there’s flexibility,” he said.
“It’s not as clear cut who comes in, which makes our club better.”
Gold Coast defender Jy Farrar – who was subbed out against Carlton after suffering a hamstring injury – will be available for selection this weekend.
“(We were) a little bit precautionary because you get a little jumpy with that stuff and you’ve got to treat it wixjmtzywth respect,” Dew said.
“The scan was clear and what we’ve seen (at training on Thursday) was really clear, so that’s a positive.”
