Brown backs Eade appointment
Rodney Eade has joined Gold Coast at the perfect time and will lead the club to their first finals appearance in 2015, according to former Sun Campbell Brown.
Brown played 46 games for Gold Coast during a 205-game career. Having played in the 2008 premiership for Hawthorn, Brown has been part of a club that built their way up to a flag after being at the bottom of the ladder.
He said Eade's appointment as coach was exactly what the club needed to take the next step and the former Sydney and Western Bulldogs coach should be excited by the opportunity.
"I think it's a super appointment," Brown said. "Rocket is an experienced coach. He's been in football for a very long time.
"It's almost the best job in footy I reckon. Four years in, all the hard yards have been done, the playing group is ready to rock and roll and there's no doubt they'll play finals next year and push for the top four and a premiership after that.
"Rocket's walked into a pretty good job. He should be smiling."
The Suns appeared certain to play finals in 2014 after winning seven of their first nine games. But the club won only one of their five matches in June and then captain Gary Ablett was ruled out for the year after injuring a shoulder against Collingwood in round 16.
Gold Coast was one win clear in eighth place at that point but won only one of their last seven games and finished 12th.
The slump cost inaugural coach Guy McKenna his job but Brown said the former West Coast star had helped to set the club up for a strong future.
"Bluey was a fantastic coach and he really put in the hard yards," Brown said.
"Not just in the four AFL years but the couple of years heading into that with the VFL as well.
"The club made the decision that he couldn't take them to the next level and I've got no doubt that Rocket Eade will be able to do that."
Brown said the players were now experienced enough to play consistent football for the entire season. He felt the arrival of Sydney premiership defender Nick Malceski was a significant addition while Hawthorn youngster Mitch Hallahan would give the club extra depth.
Brown said now that Gold Coast had 16 players who had played between 40-80 AFL games, the team had the perfect launching pad.
"The list has got heaps of talent," Brown said. "They're in that bracket now of 40-80 games, they've gone and got Malceski and Hallahan who is a star. They should be super.
"I don't think they'll be top four but they can finish anywhere from fifth to eighth."
