Round one selection becomes clearer for GWS, Suns with Ben King getting through unscathed

Stuart Dew has given his star forward Ben King the tick of approval, while the Gold Coast Suns are also set to be boosted by the return of two stars despite a heavy loss to the GWS Giants in Sydney on Saturday.

Daniel Cherny

@danielcherny

2 min read

March 4, 2023 - 5:20PM

Gold Coast’s Ben King kicks a goal during the practice match against GWS. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

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Ben King got through his return while Gold Coast is set to be bolstered by the addition of co-captain Touk Miller and dasher Brandon Ellis for its round one date with Sydney.

While the Suns lost to Greater Western Sydney by 45 points in a practice match at Blacktown on Saturday, star forward King got through unscathed after a year out with a knee injury and is also poised to confront the Swans.

King kicked an early goal but was otherwise quiet before sitting out the second half as planned. However his mere presence was a win for the Suns.

Ben King celebrates that goal with teammates. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew said King had done enough to take on Sydney.

“He’s had those quarters but he’s also done a lot of match simulation and drills and fitness. I can’t see why we wouldn’t pick him round one,” Dew said.

Touk Miller during recent match simulation. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Star midfielder Miller has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, but Dew was confident the hard-working linkman would be available for the start of the season proper. Ellis (calf), Wil Powell (hamstring) and Lachie Weller (knee) are also closing in on returns.

“Touk was back into training this week, so we expect him to be OK, and Brandon will step it up this week as well. Wil Powell will be early rounds. Is that round 1 or 3? Lachie will be early rounds as well. He won’t be round one, but he’s progressing really well,” Dew said.

GWS did most of the damage during the third term, a stanza that left Dew disappointed with his side’s lack of pressure.

“In the third quarter there were some things we didn’t like. You can’t come home with three tackles to 18.

“We just mentioned that at three-quarter time, said that it’s unacceptable.”

Pleased with his side’s first showing against another club for the year, Giants coach Adam Kingsley allayed concerns around a knock to the knee suffered by Stephen Coniglio in a collision with Suns defender Charlie Ballard.

Coniglio helped from the field. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Kingsley said Coniglio suffered only a corkie during the second quarter incident.

GWS has close to a full list to choose from ahead of round one with Brent Daniels pushing to face Adelaide in the Giants’ season opener after missing the date with the Suns with a hamstring complaint.

“He’ll be touch and go for round one. If he’s not round one I expect him round two,” Kingsley said.

Fellow small forward Toby Bedford is further away after a more serious hamstring injury.