AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has admitted to feeling “frustrated” by the current plight of the Gold Coast Suns.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s On The Couch on Monday night, Brisbane great Jonathan Brown demanded extra concessions from the AFL such as an extra $1 million in salary cap space, the first three picks in the draft, and exclusive access to talent from the Northern Territory.
The triple premiership Lion also urged greater transparency regarding the league’s plans to assist the embattled expansion club.
McLachlan says top-end talent won’t be the “panacea” for the struggling Suns who have lost 12 consecutive games including their previous two by a collective total 187 points.
"I have also said I am frustrated by this. I would like a rebuild to be quicker, but it does take time," McLachlan told SEN's Whateley.
"Accelerating development is not easy – bottom to top can take 3-5 years. Last year we gave them three mature players and they've played more games than (picks) 2, 3 6 in the draft.
“We gave them some help. Top-end talent won’t help next year – it might a bit, but it won’t be the panacea. It's challenging to get players in the current environment.”
McLachlan says the foundations are in place for Gold Coast to come through what has been a turbulent period.
"I think they are in a rebuild, which sounds a bit muddy … they are in a difficult position and they're clearly an outlier in the comp," he said.
"They're 18th, young and missing the mature quality players … the first thing you need right is the right people in the right spot. Mark Evans left the AFL and went up there, he has his team now.
“(Stuart) Dew is in his second year, he has the building blocks in place and then the system takes time."
Suns chairman Tony Cochrane confirmed the club will be seeking a priority draft pick at an AFL Commission meeting next month.
Listen to Gillon McLachlan's chat on SEN's Whateley in the player below