Gold Coast Secret Suns Series starts with an update on the contract discussions for club’s draftees
We launch our Secret Suns series with a look behind the scenes into the discussions that have Gold Coast prepared to “flood the desk” of AFL head office with new deals.
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THE Suns growing list stability looks set to be further strengthened with five of their top draft picks from 2019 indicating they are eager to sign contract extensions.
Noah Anderson, Sam Flanders, Connor Budarick and Jeremy Sharp look poised to become part of the long-term fabric of Gold Coast.
It follows reports no.1 draft pick Matt Rowell has agreed in-principle to an extension until the end of 2023.
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Discussions between the group and their managers has been positive and it’s understood all will be prepared to sign once the freeze on contract lodgements lifts, something not expected to happen in the short term as the AFL weighs up changes to list sizes.
The freeze precludes clubs from finalising contract discussions, but the Suns don’t predict any problems once they determine the finer details of new deals for the young group.
“Given we are not allowed to lodge contracts at the moment or enter into contract agreements, it makes it difficult (to finalise),” Suns CEO Mark Evans said.
“We can discuss things with their agents and those conversations have been going well.
“I’d be hopeful the AFL will tell us soon that there is date we can lodge contracts and hopefully we walk in and flood their desk.”
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The days of elite talent walking out on the club appear to be fading under the watchful eye of the club’s leading figures including Evans, chairman Tony Cochrane, coach Stuart Dew, who will likely finalise his own contract extension soon, and football manager Jon Haines.
The stability will further enhance Gold Coast’s ability to build on Dew’s game plan with a core group of players who he knows will be at the club for a prolonged period and finally produce the on-field results the club has craved.
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