Gold Coast Suns can’t simply let wantaway stars walk out on contracts, writes Alastair Lynch

THE rumour is Gold Coast co-captain Steven May wants out and will ask for an early release, joining Tom Lynch’s expected departure. ALASTAIR LYNCH says it’s time the expansion club took a stand.

Tom Lynch has a decision to make. Pic: Getty Images

IT is time the Suns took a stand against players wanting to walk away or else they could become the latest sporting organisation to crash and burn on the Gold Coast.

It is difficult to see a way out of the current situation for the Suns other than testing the patience of their fans and starting completely from scratch.

They must be strong.

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The hot rumour in footy is that co-captain Steven May wants out and will ask for an early release this year, to join Tom Lynch in an expected exodus.

Aaron Hall basically has his bags packed already and Jarrod Harbrow, who would be in the top three of the club champion voting again, is considering retirement.

I’ve heard it suggested the Suns should let May go now and do a deal while they can get something for him.

Steven May (left) and Tom Lynch might both leave the Suns. Pic: AAP

While I understand that philosophy I can’t agree.

They need to draw a line in the sand and declare that contracts are binding. They let Gary Ablett go early and it hasn’t helped them.

The Suns are already hurtling towards a major issue next year when the majority of their best players come off contract.

The risk in telling May he is going nowhere is that he walks away next year as a free agent and they get nothing in return for him, except the compensation draft pick.

The greater risk of letting him go now is they are even further weakened next year and if they are in a similar position this time next season, the likes of Jack Martin, David Swallow, Callum Ah Chee, Pearce Hanley and Sam Day would be instructing their managers to explore all options at other clubs.

Swallow in particular would be entitled to seek new opportunities. He has given his all and watched one after another of his teammates walk out.

The other risk in trading for May is it will be geared heavily in favour of the club he joins.

The Suns gave up Ablett, the No.24 pick and a 2018 Round 4 pick to Geelong in exchange for No.19 and a 2018 Round 2 pick.

The Suns drafted Wil Powell with No.19 and he made his debut two weeks ago against Collingwood. Tim Kelly was Geelong’s pick at 24.

Aaron Hall basically has his bags packed, according to Alastrair Lynch. Pic: Getty Images

It is impossible to predict, but they may have won a few more games this year with Ablett running around for them and perhaps it might have been enough to shift May and Lynch’s thinking.

The Suns talked tough when Jaeger O’Meara wanted a fresh start but they relented in the end.

The Hawks traded pick 10 of the 2016 draft and their 2017 second round pick for the former Rising Star winner.

They used the first pick to secure academy graduate Jack Bowes who looks like being a good player for the club.

But he could be one of the senior players at age 20 or 21 if the exodus occurs.

To the surprise of many, Rory Sloane signed a five-year contract with the Crows yesterday — a similar surprise with Gold Coast co-skipper Tom Lynch would be an enormous boost for the Suns as they approach a difficult period in their short history.

Few will begrudge the out of contract Lynch if he leaves after seeing so many of his inaugural teammates move elsewhere but the Suns cannot let May out of his contract as it’s not just about losing another player now, it’s more about what may happen next year.

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