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Nick Malceski joins Gold Coast Suns on three-year deal from Sydney Swans as unrestricted free agent

SYDNEY Grand Final hero Nick Malceski has signed a three-year deal to move to the Gold Coast as an unrestricted free agent.

Sydney v Hawthorn Grand Final
Sydney v Hawthorn Grand Final

SYDNEY Grand Final hero Nick Malceski has signed a three-year deal to move to the Gold Coast as an unrestricted free agent.

The 30-year-old told his coach John Longmire on Monday in an emotional farewell meeting, with the Suns’ lucrative deal too hard to pass up.

He has endured three knee reconstructions but also a brilliant past three seasons, not missing a game since mid-2012 and starring in that year’s flag triumph over Hawthorn.

The Suns aggressively hunted him on a deal worth around $500,000 a season, with the Swans unable to come up with a deal that would have hit $400,000 a season.

It will create some wiggle room for the Swans at the trade table, with Sydney keen to keep the All-Australian half back but unable to meet his terms.

Nick Malceski couldn’t pass up the Gold Coast Suns’ lucrative offer.
Nick Malceski couldn’t pass up the Gold Coast Suns’ lucrative offer.

Malceski said on Monday night that securing his financial future while moving to a talented list was an opportunity too good to pass up.

“I am sad to have to leave Sydney. It has been great to me and I owe the club so much. I came to the club as an 18-year-old and have become the person I am today because of this place and its people and culture.

“To have mentors like John Longmire, Brett Kirk and Adam Goodes was such a privilege and those habits, values and behaviours are forever with me. “

“But this was too good an opportunity to miss both for my family and me personally. At Sydney I was surrounded by a depth of great leaders and at the Suns it is all new and young. I am looking forward to helping them build a sustainable and successful team.”

His manager Ben Niall said on Monday that the Swans had accepted his decision with class.

Nick Malceski unleashes a long bomb from outside 50 metres against the Hawks.
Nick Malceski unleashes a long bomb from outside 50 metres against the Hawks.

“It is been an emotional day for Nick, telling his coach was really difficult, but they have been really understanding and respectful and supportive.

“But in the end the opportunity to secure his family’s financial future, to take up an opportunity in development coaching, and to be involved in shaping a culture and building success was too good to miss.”

Lke Gary Ablett before him, the ability to hone his leadership skills at an expansion club appeals to Malceski after playing at a club with so many high-profile leaders.

It is huge recruiting coup for Gold Coast, who is without a coach as it goes through a process to replace sacked inaugural coach Guy McKenna.

The Suns’ backline now boasts Rory Thompson, Stephen May and runners Kade Kolodjashnij, Trent McKenzie and Jarrod Harbrow.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/nick-malceski-joins-gold-coast-suns-on-threeyear-deal-from-sydney-swans-as-unrestricted-free-agent/news-story/8e2433f83a00d1e41fa5fb505470ff57