Gold Coast Suns academy coach Andrew Raines to take on a new role in 2020

Andrew Raines is set to take on the biggest coaching role of his career in 2020. Raines reveals the new role he have next year that will put him at the centre of the under-18 national championships.

ANDREW Raines is set to take on the biggest coaching role of his career in 2020.

Raines has been named the head coach of the Allies under-18 representative team, replacing AFL academy coach Luke Power who it’s understood is in discussions with Carlton to join the club.

The Allies is a combined representative team made up of the best under-18 players from Queensland, NSW, Northern Territory, ACT and Tasmania.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Raines said.

Suns academy coach Andrew Raines. Picture: Mike Batterham

“It’s a great opportunity and the Allies have been progressing well in recent years so to help the players develop and work towards the draft is pretty special.”

It continues a continuous rise through the coaching ranks for Raines who has become a respected mentor of the game’s brightest young talents since retiring at the end of 2015.

Raines shifted straight into a role as the Gold Coast Suns academy coach after a 12-year AFL playing career that included 129 senior games across stints at Richmond, Brisbane and Gold Coast.

BIG FISH ON PUBS, PLAYSTATIONS AND DRAFT DRAMA: RECRUIT’S BIG MOVE

LUKOSIUS: ‘WHERE I WANT TO PLAY FOR THE SUNS’

RETENTION ISSUES DISSOLVING: SUNS BOSS

The 33-year-old has led the Suns academy for the past four years alongside Gold Coast academy manager Jason Torney, a period that has included the transition of the likes of Queensland top 10 draft pick Jack Bowes and more.

Raines is the creator of One on One Football, established in 2018 to help provide a platform for players around the country to get coaching from some the game’s most experienced players and coaches.

He helped the Suns win the inaugural academy series in May this year and will retain his role with the club between his work with the Allies.