The Suns will fail to field a NEAFL side in 2020 after the AFL barred listed players from competing in state league competitions

Suns football manager Jon Haines has confirmed that the club won’t field a NEAFL team in 2020 after the AFL yesterday barred listed players from competing in state league competitions this year.

SUNS football manager Jon Haines has confirmed that the club won’t field a NEAFL team in 2020 after the AFL yesterday barred listed players from competing in state league competitions this year.

SUNS’ BRAVE PLOY TO KEEP FANS AT GAMES

The AFL issued a statement to clubs yesterday declaring that the part-time nature of such competitions would prevent AFL-listed players from adhering to strict medical protocols that will be in place this season.

Round 11 NEAFL game between the Southport Sharks and Gold Coast Suns at Fankhauser Reserve. Photo of Connor Budarick. Photo by Richard Gosling

Haines and the Suns remain confident they will still be able to prepare all listed players for AFL football and will even explore the possibility of scratch matches against cross-town rivals to ensure players maintain match fitness.

SUNS REVEAL THE PLAYER THEY’RE DESPERATE TO SEE

“Since the lockdown began, we have been preparing for the possibility of no second tier competition games and a re-sized footy department,” Haines said.

“This is not a surprise to us.

“We are confident that we can and will build a program that prepares all our players for AFL football.

“We will explore the prospect of playing practice games against the Brisbane Lions, who have to comply to the same protocols as us, if approved by the AFL.”

Gold Coast Suns Academy member Hewago Paul Oea. Picture: NEAFL/TJ YIELDS

The NEAFL is yet to issue a competition update after the season was postponed in March but any 2020 league could be in grave doubt considering AFL clubs field four out of the nine sides.

INSIDE HOMES OF SUNS PLAYERS DURING ISOLATION

The AFL’s statement also confirmed that they will provide a return to play and a return to training date by the end of the week and that a limit would be placed on football department spending.