Suns shortfalls ‘led to exodus’

GOLD Coast documented critical shortfalls in its medical and conditioning departments which helped spark a crippling player exodus.

Former football manager Marcus Ashcroft sounded the alarm about glaring off-field deficiencies to the Suns board in 2012, as the struggling Suns lost their first 14 games in their second AFL season.

Poor training facilities and under-resourced off-field services have been blamed as key reasons for a string of player departures, leaving the AFL’s $200 million gamble at rock bottom in its eighth year.

A review of the Suns’ 2012 medical and conditioning departments showed the club had spent $750,000 on staff, almost $400,000 less than the club average.

Carlton ($1.4 million) and Collingwood ($1.2 million) topped the league spend, according to the Gold Coast report. Ashcroft said the Suns were under-resourced in the “critical” high-performance area, jeopardising the players’ on-field development and retention strategy.

“The conditioning/medical review process has been thorough, confirming a gap in expertise in one of the most critical positions in our football department,” Ashcroft wrote.

The Suns have failed to play finals in eight campaigns and will call on the AFL to provide emergency assistance including a priority draft pick at season’s end.

A host of stars have left, including Jaeger O’Meara (Hawthorn), Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide), Dion Prestia (Richmond), Harley Bennell (Fremantle), Adam Saad (Essendon) and former captains Gary Ablett (Geelong) and Tom Lynch.

Ashcroft urged the board to provide funding for a highperformance manager.