Not even Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade saw the rise of Aaron Hall coming.
The Suns midfielder has begun the 2016 AFL season as impressively as he finished off last year's, playing a key role in Gold Coast's unbeaten start to the campaign.
After kicking two goals and picking up 36 disposals in the season-opener against Essendon, Hall took 11 marks and laid on four tackles in the Suns' impressive round two victory over Fremantle.
Eade says Hall always had ability, but the transformation from frustration to star has been remarkable.
"It's surprised everybody, outside and inside (the club)," Eade said.
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"Aaron's really has played as a high forward and, in his own words, has been inconsistent.
"It's marvellous out of every negative, and people might say there was doom and gloom, a fair bit of that last year with our midfield, but it's created an opportunity.
"It's created an opportunity for him and, I suppose (Jesse) Lonergan as well, and they've grabbed it. Aaron's had a really good pre-season ... he's got himself fitter, he's leaned up, he's got himself stronger as well and it's giving me a lot of confidence he can play in the midfield for long periods of time."
Hall's form will ensure he's one of the first names on the teamsheet for Saturday's clash with Carlton at Metricon Stadium, but Eade isn't going to stick with the same 22 which beat the Dockers in Perth.
Recruit Matt Rosa has shaken off the corked calf which ruled him out of last weekend's victory, Eade confirming the former West Coast midfielder will be part of the side to take on the Blues barring a mishap at Thursday's training session.
"Rosa, if he's right, he'll definitely play, and if Touk (Miller) was right, he'd definitely have played, so that would have been two players that would have missed," Eade said.
"At this stage there'll be one and we'll work that out after training ... whoever misses out will be unlucky."
