Jarryd Lyons axed by Gold Coast, signs with Brisbane Lions

JARRYD Lyons has completed a bizarre crosstown swap, signing with the Brisbane Lions a day after being surprisingly cut by Gold Coast. What’s going on at the Suns?

Jarryd Lyons has been delisted by the Suns. Picture: Michael Klein

JARRYD Lyons has completed a bizarre crosstown swap, signing with the Brisbane Lions a day after being surprisingly cut by Gold Coast.

The Suns say they couldn’t guarantee their No.1 clearance player a spot in the team next year and delisted him with a year to run on his contract.

Lyons agreed to part ways and today the Lions were rapt to secure his signature as a delisted free agent, costing the club nothing.

“Jarryd brings a level of maturity in his game to our club that will complement what we are putting together both in the midfield and forward lines,” football manager David Noble said.

“He certainly fits the strategy we have executed in the last 12 months of age and culture fit.

“Jarryd is entering an exciting personal time of his life, when he marries his fiancé Savahna tomorrow. We look forward to welcoming them to our Club and assisting them on their new life’s journey.

FULL LIST: EVERY DELISTING, TRADE AND RETIREMENT

FLAG WINDOW? BUCKY RATES EVERY CLUB’S LIST

Lyons played 19 games in 2018 and averaged 24.6 disposals (No.2 at Gold Coast behind Michael Barlow, who played only three games and was also delisted), ranked No.10 in the AFL and No.1 at the Suns for clearances and also led the club for centre clearances.

He joins the Gold Coast exodus that has already seen co-captains Tom Lynch and Steven May depart (to Richmond and Melbourne respectively) along with Aaron Hall (North Melbourne), Kade Kolodjashnij (Melbourne) and Jack Scrimshaw (Hawthorn).

WHAT WILL GOLD COAST’S ROUND 1 LINE-UP LOOK LIKE? SCROLL DOWN

“Before the trade period started I sat down with Jarryd’s manager and talked to him about where we are at as a club and as a list,” Gold Coast list manager Craig Cameron told SEN on Thursday.

“We are very much in a development phase, given that Tom (Lynch) and Steven (May) were going to leave us.

“We needed to look at some of the younger midfielders and give them more game time.

“We just felt Jarryd couldn’t be guaranteed a spot beyond his contract of 2019.

“If there was a possibility of a trade, we would be open to it, so the manager was aware of that.

“During the trade period I understand he spoke to a number of clubs but nothing was forthcoming during that time.”

Jarryd Lyons has been delisted by the Suns. He had 39 more clearances than any other Suns player despite playing in 19 games. #2019AFLProspectus #SuperCoach #AFLFantasy

— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) October 31, 2018

Can’t remember the last time a team delisted their best midfielder. Jarryd Lyons a great pick up by Brisbane.

— Daniel Hoyne (@DJDevils1) October 31, 2018

The Suns also delisted former No.13 draft pick Jesse Lonergan and seven others including Michael Barlow, although they plan to re-recruit veteran Michael Rischitelli in the rookie draft.

In the door are former fringe Tigers Corey Ellis and Anthony Miles, ex-Port defender Jack Hombsch, former Cat George Horlin-Smith plus three mature-age players as special pre-draft selections: Josh Corbett and Sam Collins (both from Werribee) and Chris Burgess (West Adelaide).

David Swallow will be Gold Coast’s No.1 midfielder next season.

The Suns also delisted former No.13 draft pick Jesse Lonergan and seven others including Michael Barlow, although they plan to re-recruit veteran Michael Rischitelli in the rookie draft.

In the door are former fringe Tigers Anthony Miles (aged 26, the same as Lyons), Corey Ellis (21) and Anthony Miles, ex-Port defender Jack Hombsch (25), former Cat George Horlin-Smith (25) plus three mature-age players as special pre-draft selections: Josh Corbett (22) and Sam Collins (23, both from Werribee) and Chris Burgess (22, West Adelaide).

Ellis played four senior games this year, Miles one, Horlin-Smith four and Hombsch 14, but all are good chances to take on St Kilda on Sunday, March 24 2019.

If you want to start doing your homework early, here’s our take on what the Suns side might look like, assuming everyone is available for selection.

Who is their best player? Who is their captain? Those questions remain unanswered.

B: Sam Collins, Rory Thompson, Jarrod Harbrow

HB: Pearce Hanley, Jack Hombsch, Jack Martin

C: David Swallow, Anthony Miles, Jack Bowes

HF: Izak Rankine*, Peter Wright, Alex Sexton

F: Jack Lukosius*, Sam Day, Ben Ainsworth

Rucks: Jarrod Witts, Touk Miller, Lachie Weller

I/C: George Horlin-Smith, Callum Ah Chee, Brayden Fiorini, Josh Corbett

* Expected to join the Suns with picks 2 and 3 in the draft

Anthony Miles couldn’t break into Richmond’s side this year.

Sam Collins is back in the AFL after a stellar season with Werribee.

For comparison, here’s a best 22 of players who have left Gold Coast since the Suns joined the competition.

B: Trent McKenzie, Steven May, Nathan Krakouer

HB: Adam Saad, Henry Schade, Kade Kolodjashnij

C: Jaeger O’Meara, Josh Caddy, Harley Bennell

HF: Mav Weller, Tom Lynch, Brandon Matera

F: Daniel Gorringe, Charlie Dixon, Jack Scrimshaw

Rucks: Zac Smith, Dion Prestia, Gary Ablett.

I/C: Tom Hickey, Jarrod Garlett, Jarryd Lyons, Jesse Lonergan.