Gold Coast football boss Wayne Campbell admits the club has left themselves “vulnerable” to losing key defender Rory Thompson to a rival team.
Thompson was one of three Suns players delisted last week and since that announcement, midfielder Hugh Greenwood left the club to join North Melbourne as a delisted free agent on Monday.
The 30-year-old hasn’t played since Round 19, 2018 after back-to-back ACL injuries.
Gold Coast temporarily delisted Thompson, Greenwood and Jez McLennan to “assist the club’s overall list strategy” and “comply with AFL requirements”.
Stay up to date with all the latest news from SEN. Sign up HERE.
Sportsday co-host Sam McClure asked Campbell on Monday night: “Rory Thompson for instance, who’s in a similar scenario, could Carlton come along and say, ‘We’ve just lost Liam Jones for very different reasons, why can we not do the same thing?’
“Are clubs leaving themselves vulnerable here or more vulnerable than we previously thought?”
Gold Coast explain how they lost Greenwood to Roos after bizarre decision
Suns failed in late scramble to keep Greenwood
New Roo Hugh Greenwood details events that led to shock Suns exit
Campbell replied: “So the answer is yes, they could.
“I can’t quote you the absolute stats … but I think every club has done this to at least one or two players.
“Are we vulnerable to (losing) Rory Thompson like we were to Hugh? Yes, we are. But so is each other club that’s done the same thing.”
Thompson has played 103 games for the Suns since debuting in 2011 and is under contract until the end of 2023.
Carlton may be a team considering the move given Jones’ sudden retirement.
Gold Coast currently holds picks No.3, 97 and 115 in this year's draft.