Gold Coast 2018 trade guide: How should the Suns tackle the off-season trade period?
GOLD Coast has been constantly resetting for years and lately it feels like déjà vu. If Tom Lynch and Steven May both walk out, where do the Suns go? We look at how this year’s trade period could play out.
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GOLD Coast has been constantly resetting for years and lately it feels like déjà vu.
The grand final for this football club is the trade and national draft period.
It’s hard to be critical of Stuart Dew’s first season given the travel early but the Suns recent form is miles from expectation.
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Rumours are too strong to discount that Tom Lynch, Steven May and Aaron Hall are likely to depart.
Collingwood appears the favourite for one co-captain and Hawthorn is heavily in the mix for the other.
Player retention and finding the country’s best talent via any means is the only focus. Rumours are rife that multiple players are exiting which is concerning to say the least.
The Lachie Weller deal was excessive but, given the situation, understandable. Now he needs to deliver his end of the bargain.
The Suns already have four draft picks inside the top 30, and that’s before any player movement.
Maybe this “superdraft” is the draft to isolate a glut of top 30 picks as it’s not beyond the realms for the Suns to have eight picks this year inside the top 30 draft selections.
Mark Evans and Stuart Dew have the most difficult portfolio in the Australian sporting landscape but maybe this is the perfect opportunity for a total reboot?
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SCOTT GULLAN RATES THE SUNS’ TRADE PROSPECTS
IN PLAY
1. PETER WRIGHT
Age: 21
Games in 2018: 2
Given the likelihood of Tom Lynch leaving the Suns would be mad to let Wright go as well but if someone comes knocking hard enough it should be considered given he’s yet to deliver on the much-hyped potential.
2. JACK LESLIE
Age: 23
Games in 2018: 5
Former Victorian who has been an impressive back-up tall defender when Steven May and Rory Thompson have been missing. The lure for home could get him off the Gold Coast.
3. STEVEN MAY
Age: 26
Games in 2018: 10
The gun defender could be left stranded by Tom Lynch’s departure. May is co-captain at the Suns and has one more year left on his deal. But Collingwood is keenly eyeing May and will have the cache to land him if Darcy Moore leaves. Perfect for Pies.
BUY BUY BUY
1. GEORGE HORLIN-SMITH
Age: 25
Club: Geelong
Games in 2018: 4
Lauded for his character and leadership at Geelong, he’s exactly what the Suns need. Struggled to break into star-studded Cats midfield but is clearly a solid AFL player.
2. TOM BUGG
Age: 25
Club: Melbourne
Games in 2018: 3
Struggling to get back into the Demons’ side. Adds a bit of spunk and physicality which the Suns need and is a multi-position player.
3. SAM LLOYD
Age: 28
Club: Richmond
Games in 2018: 5
Gifted goalkicker who has been squeezed out of the premiership team. Given how much the Suns have struggled for avenues to goal, he ticks a lot of boxes.
WINS AND ROUNDABOUTS
The Suns raised eyebrows when they gave away pick No.2 to Fremantle for Lachie Weller who has been serviceable at best. Aaron Young was brought in from Port Adelaide and he’s had some positive moments but unfortunately the players who went elsewhere have the ins covered. Gary Ablett is starting to show his champion qualities at Geelong while Adam Saad is also recovering from a slow start to excite the Bombers.
FANTASY QUICK FIX
The Suns have holes everywhere but if they could flick their fingers then some hard-bodied experienced midfielders would be ideal. A raid on Richmond’s VFL team would do the trick with the likes of Sam Lloyd and Anthony Miles while some Geelong players who are struggling for a game such as George Horlin-Smith and Jackson Thurlow would also work.
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Originally published as Gold Coast 2018 trade guide: How should the Suns tackle the off-season trade period?
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