The Gold Coast Suns five biggest AFL trades

Tom Lynch has become the next big name player to exit the Suns via a trade. We take a look at five of the biggest trades Gold Coast has been involved in.

FIVE OF THE BIGGEST TRADES IN SUNS HISTORY

Gary Ablett: The inaugural Suns captain arrived via a trade and left seven years later the same way in 2017. Geelong received Round 1 and 2 compensation picks for Ablett, who played 129 games for Gold Coast. When Ablett left in 2017, the Suns gained up pick 19, used to select Wil Powell last year, and the Cats 2018 Round 2 pick and lost pick 24 and this year’s pick 58. The trade came a year after Ablett first asked for a move back to Victoria.

The Gold Coast Suns confirming Gary Ablett’s three-year contract extension. Ablett (middle) pictured with then coach Rodney Eade (left) and former CEO Andrew Travis. Picture: Richard Gosling

Tom Lynch: He has become the second Suns captain to exit the Queensland club. Lynch will join Richmond on a seven-year deal while Gold Coast will receive pick 3 of this year’s draft as compensation. Lynch became the biggest name on the Suns list after Gary Ablett left and the most influential player. The key forward kicked 254 goals in 131 goals over eight seasons at the Suns.

Tom Lynch is officially a Tiger, after Richmond Football club secured the Gold Coast restricted free agent on a seven-year deal. Picture By Wayne Taylor. Monday 8th October 2018.

Dion Prestia: One of three Suns players lost to Richmond along with Tom Lynch and Josh Caddy. Dion was a key cog in Gold Coast’s midfield when it was at its peak. Gold Coast received pick 7 from the Tigers for the clean ball user and used it to select Jack Scrimshaw in the 2016 draft. Scrimshaw has played just four AFL games and has been linked to a move back to Victoria despite being contracted until the end of 2020.

Dion Prestia started his career at the Gold Coast Suns before moving back to Victoria. Picture: Quinn Rooney, Getty Images.

Jaeger O’Meara: One of the finest talents to come through the Suns list. The former AFL Rising Star didn’t play an AFL game for two seasons between 2015 and 2016 before being traded to Hawthorn for pick 10 and the Hawks 2017 second round selection.

Jaeger O'Meara spent two seasons sidelined by injury before moving to Hawthorn. Picture: Matt Roberts, Getty Images.

Lachie Weller: A former Suns academy player who returned to the Gold Coast in the 2017 trade period after three seasons at Fremantle. Gold Coast had to pay a big price to bring Weller home, giving up pick 2 of last year’s draft.

Lachie Weller arrived back at the Suns at the end of 2017. Picture: Michael Dodge, Getty Images.