Gold Coast Suns chairman Tony Cochrane says young midfielders Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell are at the centre of the club’s desire to free up some salary cap space.
The top two picks from the 2019 draft come out of contract at the end of 2023 and will warrant much improved salaries given their form across three AFL seasons.
The Suns are shopping Jack Bowes around in a combination deal which would include this year’s pick 7. It is seen by many as a salary cap dump with reports suggesting that Bowes is due to receive around $850,000 next season.
Regarding the mindset of the Suns, Jimmy Bartel asked Cochrane about the club’s plan on Sportsday.
Bartel said: “Is it too simple to say you’re keeping some cap space for when Rowell and Anderson come off those first couple of year contracts?”
Cochrane replied, saying the Victorian midfield pair are certainly central to Gold Coast’s list strategy moving forward.
“Well firstly, so would every other club by the way,” he said.
“We’re talking two of the greatest young talents ever. Both fabulous mates, which is why we worked so hard to get them together.
“They have fitted in superbly at the Gold Coast Suns and the Gold Coast lifestyle. They’ve got a lot of mates up here they’re playing with.
“They are truly heart and soul players around the club, like a Touk Miller.
“So yes, we are very much setting ourselves up to ensure we not only keep those two, but we keep a bunch of others who we really think are part of what we’re going to take forward into a top finals side.”
The Suns also have the likes of Alex Sexton, Brayden Fiorini, Malcom Rosas and Nick Holman out of contract next year.
This trade period, the club is hoping to keep hold of Izak Rankine but that scenario is unlikely with the talented forward set to join Adelaide.
Forward Josh Corbett is being tracked by Fremantle, Chris Burgess and Jeremy Sharp are being linked with a move away, and Fiorini is believed to be on the radar of Collingwood.
The Suns are believed to be showing interest in Brisbane’s Tom Berry.