AFL 2022: The potential trade targets on the Gold Coast list
Izak Rankine looks to be on his way to the Crows at season’s end, but could it be a sign of things to come with another raid on the Suns’ highly rated talent?
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Izak Rankine extending with the Suns looked a fait accompli a few weeks ago, only for Adelaide to push hard for the South Australian with a reported $800,000 a season offer.
With the Suns now out of the finals race, convincing Rankine to remain at Carrara becomes priority number one for the club and coach Stuart Dew, who are no strangers to stars being tempted away either by the pull to return home or more money.
Richmond premiership duo Dion Prestia and Tom Lynch are two prime examples of key Suns stars who sought a return to Victoria, while Gary Ablett Jr is another who asked to be traded home to Geelong before Gold Coast was ready to part with him.
Then there are the likes of Steven May, Charlie Dixon, Jaeger O’Meara and Adam Saad – all key pillars at the Suns over the journey who forced trades elsewhere with time still to run on their contracts.
For Suns fans who have looked at season 2022 as the heralding of a brighter future, losing Rankine would cast a disappointing shadow over a promising campaign and further doubt over the club’s ability to protect its best players from poaching raids by other clubs.
Locking down Rankine’s fellow 2018 draftees Ben King and Jack Lukosius was a major step in the right direction but it could be two steps back if the Crows tempt the star small-forward away from Carrara.
With midfield stars Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell’s contracts up for renewal at the end of the 2023 season, now begins a vital period in the club’s history as it builds a list worthy of challenging in September for the first time.
With that said, we have cast an eye over players who could be in the sights of rival clubs and rate how likely they are to leave the Gold Coast.
TRADE TARGETS
Izak Rankine
Home state: South Australia
Chance to leave: High
It seemed a near-certainty that Rankine would stay on the Gold Coast but that has been thrown on its head after the Adelaide Crows came hard for the South Australian’s signature. Rankine has enjoyed the best and most consistent season of his career in 2022. The Suns want him, but won’t offer the same money as the Crows, with the contracts of Rowell and Anderson also up for renewal from next year.
Brayden Fiorini
Home state: Victoria
Chance to leave: Medium-High
Probably the biggest name outside Izak Rankine who is a genuine chance of moving on. Despite having a year to run on his contract, it has become clear Fiorini is no longer considered a first-choice player in the Suns’ engine room, which looks settled with Miller, Rowell and Anderson. The 24-year-old has played in 14 games this season; two as a sub and 10 starting on the bench. He was dropped after the Suns’ loss to Essendon in Round 18 and hasn’t regained his spot. With Elijah Hollands coming on nicely since his debut and Alex Davies rated highly as a midfielder of the future, Fiorini could be looking elsewhere for better opportunities.
Sam Flanders
Home state: Victoria
Chance to leave: Medium
The No. 11 pick in the 2019 draft is in a similar position to Fiorini, in that he boasts high draft pedigree but looks to be stuck behind a settled midfield. Averaging a touch over 10 disposals per game in his 28 AFL appearances is hardly eye-catching but given he is a former first-round selection and still just 21, could attract some interest from clubs. Is contracted to the end of 2023.
Alex Sexton
Home state: Queensland
Chance to leave: Medium
A home grown talent who was once upon a time one of the Suns’ best avenues to goal, Sexton has found himself on the outer this season and could be one to look elsewhere for opportunities. His deal expires at the end of 2023 and has some value as a proven goalkicker at AFL level.
Jeremy Sharp
Home state: Western Australia
Chance to leave: Low
Sharp had 19 touches and kicked two goals against West Coast in round 21 – a team that could have interest in the young West Australian who was taken pick No. 27 in the 2019 draft. The Eagles will need to run a complete overhaul of their ageing playing list and the soon to be 21-year-old Sharp fits the bill as a homegrown talent. He is well-valued at the Suns but does have competition for spots at the position, particularly now Elijah Hollands has debuted and looked impressive. Is contracted to the end of 2023 so the Eagles would need to trump up to get him now, or hold out for next season. Hasn’t shown enough just yet to be a top-line trade target.
Ned Moyle
Home state: Victoria
Chance to leave: Low
The Suns rate Moyle very highly and he has gone from strength to strength in the VFL this season after being added through the 2021 mid-season rookie draft. Stuck behind skipper Jarrod Witts for a senior ruck spot, Moyle has had to bide his time in the reserves. He is contracted to the end of 2024 – the same time Witts’ deal expires – so there is no rush on the Suns’ end just yet. But Victorian clubs in need of a ruck option could be tempted to look Moyle’s way if he continues to sit on the sidelines through next season and into 2024.
Noah Anderson
Home state: Victoria
Chance to leave: Zero
Extending Anderson will be Gold Coast’s foremost priority beyond Rankine and knowing this, likely why they are not willing to get into a bidding war with Adelaide for Rankine’s services. Both Anderson and Matt Rowell (see below) are the present and future of the Suns midfield alongside Touk Miller. Anderson has proved himself a quality AFL midfielder this season and Victorian clubs will come hard for his services should the Suns not lock him away early. There is no way the Suns entertain offers for Anderson this off-season but watch this space if a deal hasn’t been done by midway through 2023.
Matt Rowell
Home state: Victoria
Chance to leave: Zero
If Anderson is priority 1 then Rowell will be 1b. Everything that is relevant for Anderson can similarly be said for Rowell, who has established himself as one of the best contested players in the competition. The sell for Rowell and Anderson will be to stay and become the cornerstones of a Suns midfield that could be considered one of the best in the competition in years to come alongside Miller. Rowell and Anderson have long been best mates and love playing with each other, so it could be a case of one domino leads to the other for the Suns when it comes to tying them down.
OFF-CONTRACT INTEREST
Jez McLennan
Home state: South Australia
Chance to leave: Medium-High
McLennan was taken with pick No. 23 in the 2018 national draft and is yet to get a senior start in his four years at the club. He was delisted and re-added by the Suns as a rookie last November. Given his lack of game time and the chance the Suns’ 10-man rookie list is cut back to the league-wide standard of six, McLennan could be one of the casualties. Given he has no AFL experience he won’t be a highly sought-after player but his pedigree as an early draft selection might make clubs needing a running defender take interest.
Oleg Markov
Home state: South Australia
Chance to leave: Low-Medium
Markov has been in and out of the side this year and is an interesting case as he approaches his age 27 season. His breakneck speed off halfback is almost unmatched in the competition, but his disposal sometimes lets him down. With Lachie Weller set to sign a long term deal, Brandon Ellis possibly shifting to a regular role across halfback and the development of Wil Powell and Connor Budarick, Markov is again in a fight for a starting spot. He has found himself in a similar position to the one that saw him request a trade from Richmond to the Suns at the end of the 2020 season. Loves the Gold Coast lifestyle but could be tempted elsewhere if greater opportunity was offered.
Levi Casboult
Home state: Victoria
Chance to leave: Low
Casboult was added on a one-year contract and has probably exceeded expectations this season. His role immediately became more important when Ben King went down for the season and he has already managed a career-high 35 goals with two games to play. The 32-year-old has played well enough to go around again next year and likely does, so long as his body holds up. His form could pique the interest of some forward-needy clubs but he probably stays on the Gold Coast.
Lachie Weller
Home state: Queensland
Chance to leave: Zero
The Suns are expected to announce a Weller contract extension this month which will tie him down to the club. The Queenslander was in fantastic form before going down with injury and will hope to rebound strongly in 2023 with the surety of a new deal behind him.
More Coverage
Originally published as AFL 2022: The potential trade targets on the Gold Coast list
Brayshaw, Billy gutted after MMM sackings
Radio station Triple M has undergone a major shake-up, with one of the moves devastating broadcaster James Brayshaw.
McGuane: The Blueprint is there for a Power boilover
The last time these two sides met, the Power won by 112 points. Friday night’s clash will be much closer, writes MICK McGUANE, but Port can prevail if they win four crucial areas.