Gold Coast Suns handed huge bail-out package by AFL

The AFL has confirmed the Gold Coast Suns have been handed a war chest of bonus draft picks and concessions after reaching crisis point.

Basket case.

The AFL player market has reached boiling point a full week out from the official start of the 2019 trade period.

The Gold Coast’s extraordinary bail-out package from the AFL and Swans star Tom Papley’s intriguing move to Melbourne headlines the action on Monday.

GOLD COAST BAIL-OUT BIGGER THAN WILDEST DREAMS

The AFL has pushed the panic button on the Gold Coast, confirming an insanely rich bail-out package to put the basket-case club back on track.

The league issued a statement on Monday morning to confirm a raft of bonus draft picks and recruitment concessions after another miserable season for the Suns where the club finished on the bottom of the ladder.

It follows reports last week that the AFL commission had decided in secret to grant the Suns the top draft pick, compromising another national draft.

The AFL has confirmed its assistance package to the Suns includes:

— Pick No. 1 and the first pick of the second round (currently pick No. 20) in the 2019 AFL Draft.

— A mid-first round pick (currently pick No. 11) in the 2020 AFL Draft; and

— The first pick of the second round (currently pick No. 19) in the 2021 NAB AFL Draft.

The Suns have also had their rookie list expanded to 10 available spots and have now been granted academy access to Darwin-based junior talents.

AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon admitted in a statement the AFL has had “enormous challenges” in establishing the team in rugby league heartland.

The Suns lost their final 18 games.

“There is no doubt the Gold Coast SUNS have had enormous challenges throughout their short history and it is to the benefit of the entire competition that the SUNS are competitive,” Dillon said.

“The AFL and football fans want a strong and even competition, and while the endeavour and intent can’t be faulted by the Gold Coast Football Club, there have been executional challenges along the journey that have impacted the on-field competitiveness of the team.”

The AFL Commission will review its bail-out package annually.

Suns CEO Mark Evans said the club’s focus from the assistance package is a “long-term” roster re-build.

“As a result of the assistance outlined today, from a list point of view our absolute focus is the long-term list build which prioritises recruiting top end elite talent,” Evans said.

“Our list management team will now turn their heads to how we best use the assistance provided to capitalise on this in 2019 and beyond.

“Off the field we can add further resources to our football program in line with our strategy, ensuring our players and coaches are surrounded by the best possible people and programs which will have a positive impact on retaining and attracting players.”

PAPLEY KNOCKS BACK NORTH

Swans star Tom Papley has reportedly knocked back North Melbourne’s monster contract offer, reported to be worth up to $900,000 per season.

Contracted at the Swans until the end of the 2021 season and with a further contract clause in his favour to extend his deal through to the end of 2023, Papley on grand final weekend reportedly informed the Swans he wants to be traded to Carlton.

Tom Papley has made up his mind.

The in-form goal sneak has emerged as one of the most intriguing storylines of the 2019 trade period after Sydney’s repeated declarations it intends to hold onto the 23-year-old.

Papley has also previously been linked as a potential circuit-breaker in a three-way trade involving Essendon and Joe Daniher’s speculated move to the Swans.

SEN’s Sam McClure reported Papley’s update on Monday morning, claiming the Blues could be forced to hand over Pick No. 8 to the Swans to get the deal done.

Saints great Nick Dal Santo said of North’s reported monster offer to Papley: “World’s gone mad. He’s a very good player, but that’s a lot of money”.