Gold Coast is far better placed to deal with their latest crippling AFL injury crisis than they were this time last year, according to midfielder Aaron Hall.The Suns are limping to the finish line yet again after losing Gary Ablett, Michael Rischitelli and Dion Prestia to season-ending injuries - just when it was starting to look like coach Rodney Eade might soon have had his best 22 players available for selection for practically the first time in his tenure.It would be an unprecedented situation, had almost the exact same thing not happened at Carrara 12 months ago - but there are some key differences.For one, the players who stepped into the void back then - like Hall, Touk Miller and Jesse Lonergan - are now a year older and a year wiser for their early exposure.But importantly, the spine of the Suns team is in good shape as they look towards a run home featuring several genuinely winnable games.The emergence of Peter Wright has provided Gold Coast with a quality third tall option in attack while their defence, at least since the return of Steven May from suspension, has been able to tame some of the competitions premier forwards.I think we definitely sit in a better position, Hall told AAP.Injuries are pretty much identical, but Peter Wrights come on the scene. I think those talls can really cause some damage for the defence.Then youve got Steven May and Rory Thompson in the backline as well, which really stems us.I suppose you could say our spine is really solid and last year, a few of those guys were injury-hampered as well.The future is looking bright too - the Suns have also stockpiled one first-round draft pick and three second-rounders they traded in last year, to go with their own selections, and academy product Jack Bowes looms as one of the hottest properties of the 2016 draft crop.The difficulty will be competing in midfield, but Hall - who averages 29 possessions a game this season - says he wants to become the standard-setter of the undermanned on-ball group for the rest of the year.I really want to take charge in there and lead that group, he said.Myself, Gaz, Dids and Risch, we started to get a bit of synergy for the last month or so and we started getting on top of other midfields.Those three guys going down in one weeks not ideal but hopefully the rest of us can grow together and create that depth for next year as well as getting some wins on the board.Custom Bulls T-shirts . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. 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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Phoenix Coyotes have locked up their top off-season priority, signing goalie Mike Smith to a six-year deal that averages around $5.7 million per season. Smith and the Coyotes agreed to the deal over the weekend and received approval of the contract from the NHL on Monday. The 31-year-old Smith had mostly been a backup before leading the Coyotes to the Western Conference finals for the first time in 2011-12, his first season as Phoenixs No. 1 goalie. Smith was about to become a free agent and had been waiting for clarity on the Coyotes ownership situation before signing. The City of Glendale is set to vote on a lease agreement with Renaissance Sports & Entertainment on Tuesday, the last major hurdle in the groups attempt to buy the franchise from the NHL. "We are pleased to sign Mike to a multi-year contract," Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said in a statement. "Mike has emerged as a top NHL goaltender with his size, athletic ability and strong work ethic. He is capable of leading us to a Stanley Cup championship, the goal of our franchise. This is an important signing for our Club." Smith signed with Phoenix in 2011 after spending the previous six seasons with Dallas and Tampa Bay. He was stellar in his first true shot at being a No. 1 goalie, winning 38 games with a 2.21 goals-against average, a .930 save percentage and a franchise-record-tying eight shutouts. The Coyotes won their first division title in 33 years as an NHL franchise and went to the conference finals for the first time that season. Smith wasnt quitee as good in the final year of his contract, going 15-12-5 with a 2.dddddddddddd58 goals-against average and a save percentage of .910 while fighting injuries during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. The Coyotes finished four points out of the Wests final playoff spot. He is 53-30-15 with a .924 save percentage and a 2.33 GAA in two seasons in Phoenix. His 13 career shutouts are fifth all-time in franchise history. Smith likely would have been one of the top goalies in the free agency market, but said his preference was to stay in Phoenix as long as there was clarity in the teams ownership. The NHL has agreed to sell the franchise to RSE, but the deal is contingent upon the group working out a lease agreement with Glendale for Jobing.com Arena. Tuesdays vote is still in doubt, leaving open the possibility that the franchise could be relocated -- the NHL has indicated that would be the likely next option -- but Smith decided to sign anyway. "Im thrilled to re-sign with the Coyotes," Smith said. "We have a great young team and an excellent coaching staff and management team. Ive really enjoyed playing in the Valley the past two seasons and this is where I wanted to stay." Even as the four-year ownership saga laboured on, the Coyotes have shown signs of stability over the past few weeks, signing Maloney, assistant GM Brad Treliving, coach Dave Tippett and his assistants in recent weeks. Phoenix also signed captain Shane Doan before the 2012-13 season and locked up young defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson with a long-term deal in March. ' ' '