Young brings older head to Suns attack
AARON Young didn’t need to see Gold Coast’s AFL base at Carrara to know it was the right move for both himself and the Suns.
Young’s belief is that good people make good clubs and his decision to request a trade from Port Adelaide to Gold Coast was twofold.
The 24-year-old midfielder/forward was desperate for more regular senior football and the Suns list is one he said he can help develop into a successful team.
“It was a really good opportunity to play footy,” Young said. “Everyone’s dream is to play so it’s a really good opportunity for me.
“Change is always good. It’s a really talented group and I’m getting to that age where I can start to help some of these younger guys, push their development along and improve the team significantly over the next few years.
“If we can get some good people – which we have in the last few years – across, I think we can push the younger boys and aid in that development and hurry that process along.”
Young played six seasons at Port Adelaide, recording 76 games after initially being taken at pick 36 of the 2010 draft. His best year came in 2016 where he kicked 37 goals as a forward across a careerhigh 21 games.
Young struggled to mirror the success this year, falling down the pecking order to feature in just 13 games while spending most of the year in the club’s SANFL side.
“It was obviously a disappointing year at Port Adelaide after the year before but I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing what can happen (with the Suns).”
Gold Coast traded their future Round 4 draft pick to bring Young in on a two-year deal.
Young, who has spent time at forward and midfield, said he had no set role in mind at the Suns, though he was looking forward to linking with Gold Coast key forward and co-captain Tom Lynch.
“(Lynch) is a really impressive player and really impressive human,” Young said.
“I’m looking forward to linking up with him. If that’s crumbing off his hands or watching him mark and put them through it will be good.”