Suns rise for Swan veteran
GOLD Coast will consider extending the career of Sydney’s Jarrad McVeigh in a Luke Hodge-type mentoring role.
The Sydney Swans’ veteran faces an uncertain future after coach John Longmire surprisingly said on Saturday that McVeigh was expected to retire at season’s end.
McVeigh, 32, is having an outstanding season averaging 22 possessions a game in defence, and would be placed high in the Swans’ best and fairest after 11 rounds.
While his cards may be marked in Sydney, the premiership defender could be open to playing a 16th season.
Gold Coast is thought to be interested in McVeigh, in part to add his class and vast playing experience to the Suns’ young playing ranks.
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew also has a strong connection with McVeigh, 32, from their time at the Swans when Dew was there as an assistant coach.
The Suns are set to miss finals for the eighth-straight season and could also lose cocaptain and gun spearhead Tom Lynch to either Richmond, Hawthorn or Collingwood.
McVeigh, who is one of the AFL’s most respected leaders and durable players, could help fill the Suns’ leadership vacuum next season and provide invaluable on and off field guidance.
An industry source said yesterday: “He would be an unbelievable get for that club. They’re crying out for leadership. He’s perfect.”
But Sydney’s 311-game veteran remains undecided about his future and is likely to weigh up a decision later in the season as the Swans look to book a ninth-straight finals appearance.
McVeigh’s manager Phil Mullen left the door open for McVeigh to play on. “He’s playing good footy, absolutely he is,” he said.