Versatility the key in Coast bids

SUNS coach Stuart Dew says a successful trade period has Gold Coast positioned for immediate success and in a strong position for next year’s AFL draft.

“We are really happy with the outcome,” Dew told the Bulletin last night.

“We went in with a plan around Harrison Wigg, Aaron Young and Lachie Weller to get done as well as get the Gary (Ablett) trade done as well.

“We feel we have a good balance of improving immediately but are also in a really strong position for next year.

“We have done a bit for now and a bit in the bank for next year.

“The three lads are really flexible, whether it’s inside, on the wing, halfback or at halfforward.

“We have three guys who can play senior footy next year. That is really important for those lads in particular but also for the rest of the group. We want to get moving next year.”

Dew said the Suns went in with a focus of securing versatile players that could also add grunt to their midfield while bolstering their presence at next year’s draft, expected to produce quality talent.

The Weller deal was one of the final trades done before deadline yesterday.

Dew said the pick swaps with West Coast – which delivered a future Round 1 selection for the Suns – earlier in the day played a huge part in getting the former Gold Coast academy player to the club.

Pick two was a high price for Weller but Dew said knowing the Suns had a first-round choice in 2018 helped get it done.

“Packaging up some picks to get into West Coast’s first round for next year was a big part in being able to get the Lachie one done,” Dew said.

“If that one hadn’t of got through well we might have had different conversations but we are really pleased we were able to get it done.”

Dew said the club didn’t consider chasing any established key defenders to improve their depth in an area that has been lacking.

“We didn’t chase any at all. We are comfortable with ones we have,” Dew said.

“That didn’t even come up in discussion in the last two weeks. We are really comfortable with that part. We got done what we wanted to get done.”

North Melbourne midfielder Andrew Swallow voiced his desire to join brother David at the Suns during the trade but Dew said they simply ran out of time to bring him in.

“In the end with Lachie and Gary’s deals going down until the last 20 minutes we were really focused on getting those ones done,” he said.

“That did take up our whole day those two making sure we were really happy with those packages.”

Dew said he wasn’t disappointed that he never got to coach dual Brownlow medallist Ablett after the inaugural Suns captain joined Geelong.

“When I was looking at this job I didn’t look at one individual,” Dew said.

“At the very start of the trade period we were committed to getting it done for him and us.”

The Suns may not have a hall of fame yet but chief executive Mark Evans says Ablett will be the first inductee when one is created.

The new Gold Coast boss said Ablett’s legacy was cemented, pointing to the growth of the game in a non-AFL state due to his presence.

“Gary has done an enormous amount in helping establish the Gold Coast Suns and for helping grow football in south east Queensland,” he said.

“To have a name like Gary come to us during that period of his career was enormously beneficial and gave the supporters something to hope for.

“While we’d love to keep him, we understand his desire to return to Victoria and completely respect the circumstances that make that difficult for him at the moment.”