Mitch Riordan’s future at the Gold Coast Suns uncertain following ACL injury

The Suns have thrown their support around injured midfielder Mitch Riordan whose AFL future has been clouded by a season-ending injury.

THE Suns have thrown their support around injured midfielder Mitch Riordan whose AFL future has been clouded by a season-ending injury.

Gold Coast football manager Jon Haines confirmed Riordan would miss the entire 2020 season after rupturing his ACL at training at the end of January.

It is a huge blow to the 20-year-old’s career and comes after what was a strong first pre-season at AFL level.

Riordan was picked up by the Suns with pick 2 at last year’s mid-season draft and did nothing but impress since arriving in May.

Gold Coast mid-season draftee Mitch Riordan (left) at Suns training. Picture: Supplied.

Riordan showed his ability in the contest through three games in the NEAFL while he was building his endurance.

Out of contract at the end of 2020, Riordan won’t get the chance to make his AFL debut in 2020 or show why he deserves another deal at the top level.

But Haines said the club had already reached out to Riordan and his management to ensure the contract wasn’t something that would torment him.

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“It’s obviously very disappointing for Mitch,” Haines said.

“He impressed everyone in the back half of last year off an non-AFL preparation.

“We have been in contact with his management group and we just encouraged Mitch to focus on his rehabilitation at this stage.

“He has got our full support. We have said lets get that right and the other stuff will sort itself out through the course of the year.”

Riordan had been playing for the Dandenong Stingrays in 2019 before ACL injuries to Rory Thompson and Harrison Wigg opened the door for him to be picked up in the mid-season draft.

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