‘The grass isn’t greener’: Gold Coast Sun Brayden Fiorini reveals trade epiphany

Suns midfielder Brayden Fiorini has opened up about the moment a trade to Collingwood fell through and the “brutal” circumstances that forced Jack Bowes out of the club.

Suns midfielder Brayden Fiorini has opened up about the moment a trade to Collingwood fell through and the epiphany that had him backing out of an exit from the Gold Coast.

After playing just 14 senior games in 2022, the 25-year-old, who is contracted until the end of 2023, engaged in trade discussions with multiple clubs in seek of “more opportunity”.

Fiorini currently sits behind a stacked midfield group of Touk Miller, Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, David Swallow, Brandon Ellis and Elijah Hollands, and spent the majority of the back half of 2022 in the club’s VFL side.

“I was in and out (of the senior side) a fair bit, only managed a few games here and there,” Fiorini said.

“I felt like I was playing pretty good, consistent VFL footy and then it got to that pointy end of the year and I had ongoing chats with Dewy (coach Stuart Dew).

“Me and Dewy have got a respectful relationship. (We can) be honest with each other.”

The trade fell through but Fiorini said ultimately he wasn’t disappointed by the result to stay on the Gold Coast.

“(The decision to stay) was mutual,” he said.

Brayden Fiorini is happy to stay on the Gold Coast for another year. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“There was a bit of interest there, we worked through a few things with other clubs but it got to the pointy end of the trade period and I sort of realised the grass might not be greener at another team.

“I feel like I can still have an impact on this team as well.

“Being here for seven years I’ve loved my time here, my partner is up here, this is pretty much home at the moment.

“Mutually we thought if there was any opportunity elsewhere — (a club) that could promise me more opportunity than I was having last year here at the Suns — that we should explore that and see what happens there.”

Fiorini didn’t comment on his future at the club, but is expecting a child in six weeks with long-term partner Molly-Rose Dale, who is also originally from Victoria.

“I feel that it was handled in a really respectful and mature way,” he said.

“I’m just glad that it ended out staying here in the end, I’m over the moon to stay here.

“If I was to leave it would probably would have been back home, but I see up here (in Queensland) as home anyway.

“It wasn’t like I was trying to get back home to family or anything. We love it up here.”

Speaking on former teammate and close friend Jack Bowes’ trade to Geelong, Fiorini said it was “tough” to see Bowes traded against his wishes.

Bowes, who was contracted to the Suns until 2024, was devastated by the decision to send him to Geelong, along with the club’s pick seven.

“He was in a similar boat,” Fiorini said.

“I don’t want to put words in his mouth but he’d had chats with Dewy throughout the year and at the end of the year about how he wanted to play midfield, and so did I, obviously we’ve got a great midfield group at the moment so it was just where we fit in.

Brayden Fiorini has spoken about how close he came to leaving the Suns. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I’m glad it’s worked out for him. Although he probably didn’t want to leave, I think it was the best thing for his footy and from all reports he’s going really well and enjoying it down there in Geelong.

“It’s tough, but that’s just the industry we’re in. It’s a brutal industry in terms of all that side of things.”

Originally published as ‘The grass isn’t greener’: Gold Coast Sun Brayden Fiorini reveals trade epiphany