AFL hands big boost to struggling Suns
GOLD Coast will now hold the top two picks in this year’s draft as part of an “assistance package” from the AFL for the struggling club.
The Suns already held the No. 1 choice due to finishing at the bottom of the ladder but will now hold the first two selections, along with the first pick of the second round — currently pick 20.
Gold Coast will receive a mid first-round pick in the 2020 draft (currently pick 11) and the first pick of the second round (currently pick 19) in the 2021 draft.
The Suns will also receive expanded academy player access for the next three years, including the provision of the Darwin region as an academy zone, the ability to pre-sign the club’s academy players without going through the bidding zone and an increased rookie list of up to 10 players.
AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon said the Suns were “here to stay” and the package was intended to give them a platform to recruit high-quality players, with the onus on the club to find a way to retain them.
“They’ve got to develop them, they’ve got to provide those players with the opportunity to be the best players that they can,” Dillon said yesterday. “So ... what the AFL commission has done with this package is provide the Gold Coast Suns with the ability to do that.”
Dillon said the AFL had not considered giving the Suns salary cap allowances.
Gold Coast is expected to take Victorian duo Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson with the first two selections in this year’s draft.
Every club’s selections will be pushed down the order as a result but Dillon said there had not been any push back from the other clubs.
“We’ve spoken to those clubs today and they understood the decision and they accepted it and they’ll still be able to draft some really talented players with what are now picks three and four and five,” Dillon said.
The Crows hold Carlton’s first-round pick as part of a trade completed last year, with that selection now bumped down the order from No. 3 to No.4. “That’s part of the reason why we have provided the package over three years — it’s to provide certainty for the club,” Dillon said.
The Suns welcomed the assistance package, which will also include support from the AFL in the form of operational and strategic services.
“As a result of the assistance outlined today, from a list point of view, our absolute focus is the long-term list build which prioritises recruiting top-end elite talent,” chief executive Mark Evans said.
“Our list management team will now turn their heads to how we best use the assistance provided to capitalise on this in 2019 and beyond.
“Off the field we can add further resources to our football program in line with our strategy, ensuring our players and coaches are surrounded by the best possible people and programs which will have a positive impact on retaining and attracting players.”