AFL trades 2024: Gold Coast, Jack Lukosius in candid conversations about key forward’s future
Gold Coast football boss Wayne Campbell says the club is happy for Jack Lukosius to speak with rivals, but the Suns won’t be giving him away for nothing.
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Gold Coast football boss Wayne Campbell has confirmed the club is happy for Jack Lukosius to speak with rivals about a possible trade – but only if the price is right.
Lukosius’s future has been a major talking point across the season. His name was first floated as a possible trade target early in the year, when rumours spread that the former No.2 draft pick was unhappy with his new role in defence under Damien Hardwick.
The South Australian soon returned to the forward line and began to rediscover his goalkicking form, including a five-goal haul in the Suns’ stunning romp over Geelong in Darwin.
But the 195cm key forward was dropped late in the season and that reignited speculation he could seek a trade, which was only amplified after news he had met with Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks.
On Tuesday this masthead revealed the Suns were staring down a list squeeze after the AFL rolled back the rookie list concessions that came as part of the 2019 assistance package that helped the club land Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson in that year’s national draft.
With some tough list calls to be made and careful manoeuvring to allow for the arrivals of Daniel Rioli, John Noble and Suns Academy starlet Leo Lombard, dealing Lukosius to a rival club could be in the best interest of both parties.
“Jack is at a really important stage of his career and it’s important for him to know what’s best for his footy as well,” Campbell told this masthead.
“Whilst we want the best for our club we also want what’s best for Jack.
“He’s spoken to a few other clubs – we’re aware of that and we’re OK with him doing that. If he decides that his future is elsewhere, whilst we would be sad we would understand.
“But we also would be more than happy for him to come back and play at the Gold Coast Suns.”
Lukosius is only 12 months removed from a 39-goal season and still has two years to run on his current contract.
Earlier this year, Champion Data rated the 24-year-old as the most efficient kick in the AFL.
His unique skill set has made him a valuable but difficult piece to fit within Damien Hardwick’s puzzle – so much so that last month the Suns coach conceded had not “got the best out of him yet”.
It is a conundrum the Suns are happy to continue trying to solve next season if no suitable offer comes that suits both the club and Lukosius.
“He wants to have a look around and we’re OK for him to have a look around but ultimately there is a business transaction that has to take place as well,” Campbell said.
“It feels like we’re at a reasonable position where it’s a mature discussion between club and player. There are no bridges that cannot be mended.”
Campbell also confirmed that small forward Malcolm Rosas and utility Jy Farrar had been given permission to speak with rival clubs ahead of the trade period.
“They’ve each got a year to go on their contracts and we’ve said to them that they are welcome to have a look around – but again, same as Jack, if it ends up that they remain at the club in 2025, then we’ll get to work and make them better players.”
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Originally published as AFL trades 2024: Gold Coast, Jack Lukosius in candid conversations about key forward’s future
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