Gold Coast list boss Craig Cameron has provided an update on numerous dealings for the club during the upcoming AFL trade period, including a trio of young stars set to come out of contract in 2022.
The Suns followed a familiar path in 2021, starting fairly before fading in the back half of the season.
However, important wins over Richmond and the GWS Giants late in the season, coupled with the likely return of numerous injured key players next season, has given the club hope for 2022.
2018 top 10 draft picks Ben King, Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine are all out of contract at the end of next season and will face the pull of clubs from their home states.
When asked about the trio, Cameron told AFL Trade Radio’s The Late Trade the Suns are confident the young guns are invested in the team’s success and hoped they might be able to complete signings over the break.
“We’d be hopeful we can do some signings this off-season before we get into next year,” he said.
“Our young blokes are really invested, part of our strategy from the get-go was to bring a bunch of talented young guys together, and they’ve really bonded.
“They’ve got good hope for the future, but on-field we’ve got to show it.”
Cameron also commented on the futures of Will Brodie and Darcy Macpherson.
The pair are in a similar boat, both 23-years old but have struggled to cement their places in the Suns best 22.
Brodie especially has struggled up north, playing just 24 games in five years after being drafted with pick nine in the 2016 AFL draft.
“Will’s going into his sixth year next year, and he quite rightly wants to explore his options elsewhere and we’re happy to facilitate that if we can find something for him, we’ll work to that through the trade period,” Cameron said.
“Darcy is a little bit the same, but he hasn’t been quite as vehement in talking to us around wanting to find another home, but if he did and found something that works for us, then we’d look at that.”
The Suns have some work to do if they are to bring in any trade targets this off-season with all list spots currently filled and signed for next season, however, it hasn’t stopped Cameron and his team from showing interest in delisted Saint Luke Dunstan.
“We’ll have to wait until we get through the trade period to see where everything sits, but Luke’s a good player and he played some good games this season so we’d be crazy not to look at a player of his talent if he’s available to rookie list, it just depends what happens through the trade period as to how many rookie selections we have,” Cameron said.
2022 shapes as a big year for the Suns, with numerous signings still to be completed and coach Stuart Dew out of contract.