WAR DRAFT
Suns boss takes aim over bid to keep talent from Coast
GOLD Coast boss Mark Evans has threatened legal action against any player-manager who attempts to block a draftee’s move to the Suns.
The Suns are certain to receive picks No.2 and No.3 (as Tom Lynch compensation) in this year’s draft after their 96-point thrashing to Melbourne at the MCG yesterday.
Richmond premiership list architect Blair Hartley has become the latest senior club figure to knock back an offer to join the AFL’s $200 million problem child.
Hartley rejected an offer from the Suns to become their new football boss late last year.
Hartley joins respected figures – including Richmond’s Neil Balme, Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd and former Collingwood fitness guru David Buttifant – who have rejected the Suns in recent years.
The Suns are also struggling to attract fresh top-end playing talent.
Collingwood premiership coach Michael Malthouse said he was aware that some potential draftees were now reluctant to go to the Gold Coast.
Player-managers have confirmed they were unwilling to trade their clients to the Queensland club due to their limited on-field prospects.
But Evans (right) said he would launch court action “as quick as we can” against any attempts to block a move in November’s national draft.
“The only thing I can think where this might have come from, is there are some kids and some families that have a preference not to travel interstate,” Evans said on ABC radio.
“But I’ve yet to hear someone say directly to me, ‘don’t come to the Gold Coast’. That is ridiculous.
“Tell them to get on the radio and put their balls on the line on radio and then I’ll smash them in the court.”
Malthouse was adamant some underage players were not keen to be drafted by the Suns.
“Managers have been told by potential recruits for next year ‘I do not want to go to Gold Coast’,” he said.
“I know several players who have indicated that and that is tampering with the draft.”
Footy greats have declared a state of emergency at the Queensland club as it rallies for an emergency assistance package, including a priority draft pick at season’s end.
Leading agent Liam Pickering said the club needed an extra $2 million a year in its salary cap to retain and sign current players.
SUNS coach Stuart Dew believes his playing group is aligned and is confident there won’t be an exodus of senior players following Tom Lynch out the door at the end of next year.
Gold Coast copped another battering yesterday, falling to Melbourne Demons by a whopping 96 points at the MCG just days after their cocaptain Lynch announced he wanted out of the club after eight years.
Even more senior players, including David Swallow, Steven May and Jack Martin, are off-contract at the end of next year and the Suns must prove they are worth staying for.
Dew said his group had gelled and it was time the club moved away from relying on individuals who have shouldered the load too often since the club was created.
“When you have 45 players there is always going to be someone who wants to go and then we will have some who want to come,” Dew said.
“We have worked out we have a fair chunk of numbers who want to stay and really build this club in the right way.
“The players also need to understand the role they play on that and I think they are starting to get their heads around that.
“That is not over to one or two people off the field. It’s certainly up to them as well. We are in the trenches with the players and we will support them and challenge them.”
Dew said another preseason would be critical after his side came in and out of games throughout the season through mental and physical lapses.
The Suns were up against it from the start in Melbourne yesterday, with key forward Peter Wright limping from the field after just two minutes. It cost the Suns, who were already without key defenders Steven May and Rory Thompson along with key forwards Tom Lynch and Sam Day, who won’t return this year.
May is due back this week and Dew is also confident Brayden Crossley and Swallow will be fit to play.
Wright’s absence forced Jack Leslie to play at the back and up forward between stints in the ruck with Jarrod Witts.
The Demons led by 51 points by the end of the first quarter and increased it at every break. Gold Coast continued to run forward hard but were hurt on turnover by Melbourne, who were too quick in transition.
“It wasn’t the ideal start with Pete going down,” Dew said. “I thought Jack played well actually. He really gave us a target.”