Every player the Gold Coast Suns recruited and lost going into the 2020 AFL season
The Gold Coast Suns have finalised its list for 2020 following a busy trade and draft period. Gold Coast will take a 51-man list into next season, including 10 rookies, on the back of the assistance package given to them by the AFL. The Bulletin recaps every arrival and departure here.
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THE Gold Coast Suns have finalised its list for 2020 following a busy trade and draft period.
Gold Coast will take a 51-man list into next season, including 10 rookies, on the back of the assistance package given to them by the AFL.
The Bulletin recaps every arrival and departure here.
ARRIVALS:
TRADE:
Hugh Greenwood: The Suns traded their 2020 Round 3 and 4 selections for the 27-year-old midfielder who has played 51 AFL games for the Crows.
“We’re a young team as everyone knows and he’s a mature big-bodied mid,” Suns list manager Craig Cameron said.
“He’s a really defensively minded mid, a strong tackler and can also slide forward and play as a third tall forward.
“It just gives us an ability to have a hard big-bodied mid inside for us and protect some of our younger guys but also a little bit of flexibility with him sliding forward and giving us another avenue to goal.
“It’s important to get some maturity in the door.”
BIG FISH, PLAYSTATIONS AND DRAFT DRAMA: SUNS RECRUIT’S MOVE
Brandon Ellis: The Gold Coast Football Club made an offer to Restricted Free Agent Brandon Ellis (Richmond) on Friday October 4. The Richmond Football Club elected not to match the offer on Saturday October 5 and Brandon Ellis joined Gold Coast.
The Tigers were given pick 39 of the national draft as compensation.
“Brandon has proven his ability at AFL level over the past eight seasons and we’re excited by the opportunity to add a duel premiership player to our midfield group,” Craigh Cameron said.
“In line with our strategy we’re keen to target players who will complement our young group and are committed to help drive our club forward, Brandon fits that perfectly.”
Zac Smith: Gold Coast traded pick 58 for the ruckman.
“(I’m) really excited to be back,” Smith said.
“Obviously there’s still some mixed emotions but when the opportunity came up, particularly for two years so I could really dig my teeth in and really have an impact, (it was the right decision).
“I feel like there’s still some unfinished business as well and the club has changed totally since I was there so I’m just really excited to be back and hopefully help the club move forward.”
NATIONAL DRAFT:
Pick 1. Matthew Rowell: Inside midfielder from the Oakleigh Chargers
Pick 2. Noah Anderson: Midfielder from the Oakleigh Chargers
Pick 11. Sam Flanders: Midfielder from Gippsland Power. Secured after the Suns traded picks 17 and 22 to move up the draft order.
“We rated Sam really highly, but [other clubs] had their own choices I suppose,” Craig Cameron said.
“Sam will bring flexibility, play midfield and forward, he’s got good speed and agility. Matt Rowell’s a hard working inside mid, Noah (Anderson) is a big-bodied mid, so there’s a good mix of players there.”
Pick 27. Jeremy Sharp. Wingman from East Fremantle.
Pick 60. Jy Farrar: A 23-year-old utility from Adelaide standing at 190cm.
ROOKIE DRAFT:
Pick 1 Josh Schoenfeld: Shifting from the Suns senior to rookie list after four seasons.
Pick 16 Connor Budarick: Under-18 All-Australian and Suns academy graduate pre-signed as part of the AFL’s assistance package.
Pick 29 Matt Conroy. Originally from Townsville, the 199cm ruckman was pre-signed by Gold Coast as part of the AFL’s assistance package.
Pick 37 Malcolm Rosas. The Darwin product and half-forward represented the Allies and was part of the Northern Territory academy. The Suns used their new Darwin academy zone to pre-sign him.
Queensland zone selection: Patrick Murtagh: A Queensland State Champion decathlete, Murtagh has been part of the Suns academy as an over-age player for the past year in order to hone his AFL skills.
The 19-year-old showed promise throughout the 2019 academy series, playing both in the ruck and as a key forward for the Suns.
At 196cm, he turned heads in early 2019 when he recorded an 81cm standing vertical jump at a state combine testing day.
Luke Towey: The Irishman signed with the Suns Category B rookie.
The 20-year-old joined the Suns after being invited to spend time immersed in their program late in the season following a strong showing at the AFL Europe combine and a visit to Melbourne earlier this year.
Starring as a Gaelic footballer since a young age, the Irishman impressed Suns recruiters with his speed, agility and willingness to learn the game.
DEPARTURES:
Jack Martin: Joined Carlton through the pre-season draft. Martin requested a trade but a deal couldn’t be done with the Blues and the Suns, who could have picked him with the first selection of the draft, chose not to bring him back to the club.
Callum Ah Chee: The utility was traded to the Brisbane for the Lions 2020 Round 2 national draft selection.
Tom Nicholls: The foundation Suns and ruckman announced his retirement after playing 45 AFL games.
Michael Rischitelli: Announced his retirement after playing 243 games over 16 years.
Brad Scheer: De-listed after playing 13 games over there seasons.
Jack Leslie: De-listed after playing 28 AFL games over five seasons.
Connor Nutting: De-listed without playing a senior game.
Harrison Wigg: The former Adelaide player was delisted by Gold Coast after injury ruled him out for both the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Aaron Young: De-listed after playing 100 AFL games over eight seasons across stints at Port Adelaide and Gold Coast.
Brayden Crossley: De-listed after playing 10 senior games. Crossley is currently facing a four-year doping ban that he is fighting.
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