AFL news: SANFL gun James Tsitas claims Gold Coast’s final list spot over Nathan Freeman

Nathan Freeman was in the box seat to snare Gold Coast’s final list spot. But a SANFL star has gotten the nod after an impressive pre-season.

SANFL ball magnet James Tsitas has won the race for Gold Coast’s final list spot.

The Suns announced on Monday the state league stalwart had secured the opportunity through the league’s pre-season supplementary period.

The Suns were weighing up Tsitas against former Collingwood and St Kilda midfielder Nathan Freeman as a readymade midfield option ahead of the new season.

While Freeman was ahead early, the super-consistent Tsitas eventually got the nod after impressing the Suns’ coaching staff in recent weeks.

Stream every match of every round of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.

Nathan Freeman has missed out on the Suns’ list spot. Picture: AAP

Suns Player Talent and Strategy Manager Craig Cameron said Tsitas’ selection was reward for his effort and hard work over a number of years with the former Geelong VFL star attempting to secure an AFL list spot for the past nine years.

“Suns fans will love the way he goes about his football in a tough, competitive way, he has a great attitude and will really complement our midfield group,” Cameron said.

The 26-year-old, from Grovedale, was overlooked as part of the 2013 draft class but has emerged as one of the most reliable and consistent ball winners in the country outside the AFL system.

Tsitas shared the 2021 Margarey Medal with Bryce Gibbs after another superb season last year.

The 181cm hard nut is a chance to step straight in at Gold Coast for former Crow and Sun Hugh Greenwood who made a shock move to North Melbourne in last year’s exchange period.

Tsitas will be a Sun. Picture: Getty Images

Saints set to add SANFL star on full-time deal

St Kilda’s summer train-on rookie Jack Hayes has put himself in the picture for an unlikely Round 1 spot as the Saints prepare to elevate him onto their list.

The Herald Sun understands Hayes will be put onto the St Kilda list as a 194cm ruck-forward who has been totally dominant at SANFL level.

SANFL star Hayes is the only player pushing for one of two vacant list spots at St Kilda and Saints players believe he is a strong chance to win a position early in the year in the senior side given his brilliant summer form.

The 194cm utility has taken all before him in the SANFL, captaining the state team, finishing equal third in the Magarey Medal and winning the Jack Oatey Medal as Woodville West Torrens claimed its second consecutive premiership.

St Kilda said this week it was yet to make an official call on Hayes, but St Kilda players believe he could make a similar impact to Callum Wilkie, a revelation since joining the club with an impressive SANFL pedigree.

Wilkie has become a crucial member of the Saints backline since being taken with pick 3 in the 2019 national rookie draft after being overlooked in four national drafts.

Hayes is a dangerous and versatile utility who averaged 128 ranking points, 19.6 possessions, 10.8 contested possessions, 1.1 goals, 4.3 tackles and 7.1 score assists in his 20 SANFL games this year.

Jack Hayes has impressed since joining St Kilda as a train-on player.

At only 194cm he isn’t a pure key position player on size but given his running ability and marking power is able to cover the ground and amass huge possession tallies.

His SANFL premiership coach Jade Sheedy told the Herald Sun on Thursday he could make an impact at AFL level.

“He plays as a forward-ruck for us and he’s only 194cm but he does have a huge heart. His ability to throw himself at every contest and will himself at every ball separates him from the rest in our competition.

“The knock on him about why he hasn’t got drafted is he is too small but you can’t measure someone’s heart and he has long arms and stretches out long at the footy and jumps well and takes the ball at its highest point. He plays above his height.

“People in SANFL circles can’t believe he hasn’t been given a chance at AFL level. That is universal, not just from our footy club, so I hope he get an opportunity and it’s one that would be well and truly deserved.

“What he has done in our competition is pretty significant. He was second in the Magarey Medal and it’s pretty rare for someone who plays up forward, the Magarey has always been a midfield award like the Brownlow so he’s pretty dominant.”

Jack Hayes is on target 🎯 pic.twitter.com/FkwJOkojNs

— SANFL (@SANFL) September 18, 2021

Jack Hayes in the SANFL last year, including finals

153
122
210
107
114
86
90
61
213
125
91
163
104
99
200
89
156
124
85
177#SuperCoach

— The Phantom (@ThePhantomSC) February 2, 2022

St Kilda has a number of key position targets up forward in Max King, Tim Membrey, Josh Battle, Rowan Marshall, Paddy Ryder and recently acquired ruckman Tom Campbell.

But Hayes has for several years been one of the top handful of state-league players not able to crack it in the AFL.

The Saints can sign him during the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) any time up until March 9 this year.

Sydney has already signed up former No. 1 overall pick Paddy McCartin to play alongside his brother Tom at the Swans.

And North Melbourne will add former Adelaide player Tom Lynch as a back-up who will also be part of the club’s coaching panel.

Originally published as AFL news: SANFL gun James Tsitas claims Gold Coast’s final list spot over Nathan Freeman