Gold Coast Suns eye ‘matchwinners’ at draft table as list prepares for finals assault in 2015

GOLD Coast will never fall for conservatism at the draft table. Especially when the club’s recruiting boss says their main play is to simply go after “matchwinners”.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 31: Jack Martin of the Suns runs the ball during the round 23 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the West Coast Eagles at Metricon Stadium on August 31, 2014 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

GOLD Coast will never fall for conservatism at the draft table.

When list guru Scott Clayton first began piecing together the talented outfit, the players selected all met the club’s desire to “win gloriously”.

That is to play attacking, captivating football.

“The main path, or the main players we go after are matchwinners,” list chief Scott Clayton said.

It is partly the reason why the Suns remain one of the most exciting teams to watch when the line-breaking midfield band is confidently delivering to its three-pronged tall forward line.

Against preliminary finalists North Melbourne in Round 7, the Suns piled on seven goals in a blistering opening term to post a watershed 43-point win at Etihad Stadium.

“They couldn’t get a hand on any of us in the first half that day,” Clayton said.

But as injuries took hold, including a season-ending shoulder reconstruction for champion captain Gary Ablett, a disastrous end to the season led to a coaching change.

Sean Lemmens on the move for the Suns. Picture: Richard Gosling

It was a sign of the club’s increased on-field expectations.

The Suns believe they have the talent to reach a maiden finals campaign in 2015, with Clayton saying “the time is now”.

“We have been very planned and methodical and we do think most areas (on the list) are covered,” he said.

“Certainly now there are a core group that are at that stage where there is enough games (experience).

“We will still be really young of course; they were 15 players who turned 22 during this year.

“But they are all over the 50 games, so we’ve done really well to get them to this level, but the time is now.”

The quality of young talent is immense. But the club’s moves at the trade table last month, recruiting Sydney free agent Nick Malceski and Hawthorn hard nut Mitch Hallahan was perhaps the senior top-up it required.

“We have been really specific and analysed exactly what sort of footy we played and where we needed some assistance,” Clayton said.

“We really liked ‘Mal’s’ metres gained and ball use and his organisation in regards to defence are fantastic.

“And then we probably dulled our brilliant players a fair bit during the middle of the year.

“So we just thought we needed to get some of our elite players on the outside (of the contest) a bit more and we have followed Hallahan from his Dandenong Stingrays days.

“What we liked about him is he has actually improved on some of the stuff he needed to.

“His form has been really solid and he needs to play AFL footy now at his age.”

Jaeger O’Meara has had surgery on both of his knees, delaying his start to the season.

But Clayton was excited about what the other Suns’ mini-draft jewel Jack Martin would produce in his second season, after booting four goals from 19 possessions against West Coast in Round 23.

“Jaeger will have a slow start to the season I would have thought but the confidence Jack would have got out of the last game will help him take a big step this year,” Clayton said.

“He is an awesome talent.”

WHO SHOULD THE SUNS PICK? READ OUR EXPERTS’ VIEW AND VOTE...

Kyle Langford (Northern Knights)

H: 190cm W: 73kg

One of the big bolters of this year’s draft, utility Langford can fill up the highlight reel with his dashing run and athletic marking. His ability to present up on the wing and beat his opponent overhead, despite his light frame, shows a lot of upside at AFL level and the Suns like their exciting footballers. Has also impressed with his closing speed in defence.

Jarrod Garlett (South Fremantle)

H: 177cm W: 73kg

Cousin of ex-Hawk Dayle, this midfielder/forward is rising up the order with a bullet. Can play inside or outside, has pace and can kick cleanly on either side.

Nakia Cockatoo (NT Thunder)

H: 186cm W: 86kg

Explosive and powerful midfielder-forward soared up the charts late in the year with a best on ground performance in the AFL Grand Final curtain-raiser. Sizzled in the Draft Camp, winning the repeat speed and kicking test.

Liam Duggan (Western Jets)

H: 183cm W: 75kg

Smooth-moving left-footed midfielder with elite disposal skills. A run and carry-specialist, his damaging kick inside 50m should see him taken early.

Originally published as Gold Coast Suns eye ‘matchwinners’ at draft table as list prepares for finals assault in 2015