HARD BALL
Suns must play ...
A BOLD move to snatch Tom Mitchell from Hawthorn’s reach as well as two of their premiership players are tactics some of the best football minds would use at this year’s trade table if they were Gold Coast.
AFL identities Alastair Lynch, Graeme Downie and Spida Everitt have detailed how they think the Suns could turn the losses of Jaeger O’Meara and Dion Prestia into huge wins as the club builds for 2017.
Chief among them is former Brisbane triple-premiership player Lynch who said Hawthorn could offer Gold Coast multiple players while they may need to get creative when it comes to Prestia’s desired move to Richmond.
“Both will be complex trades but the type or minimum level of player from Hawthorn will be (Isaac) Smith or (Luke) Breust,” Lynch said.
“With Richmond ... I’m not sure they have the right player. They won’t and shouldn’t trade (Dustin) Martin so I’d be grabbing their first round draft pick and on-trading for a quality midfielder from another club.
“Tom Mitchell looks to be on the move from Sydney and fits the needs of the Suns and fits in salary cap space.”
Breust and teammates Will Langford and James Sicily have all been linked to potential moves away from Hawthorn who are also chasing Sydney Swans’ Mitchell.
Former Brisbane Lions chairman and Gold Coast foundation director Downie said former No. 4 selection
O’Meara should command players and picks.
“O’Meara is rated a potential superstar midfielder and losing him and Prestia hurts the Suns in the midfield which was our biggest weakness for the year in my opinion,” Downie said.
“I’d ask Hawthorn for two midfielders – Shiels and Hartung or Shiels and their first round pick in the draft for O’Meara.
“Prestia should command an upcoming player of ability and potential so I’d aim for Daniel Rioli. The alternative could be (Trent) Cotchin.”
Former St Kilda, Hawthorn and Sydney player Everitt agreed the Suns should target Shiels for O’Meara but go after Richmond star Dustin Martin in exchange for Prestia.
All three said Gold Coast’s top priority should be to bolster a midfield that “lacks class” while picking fellow expansion club GWS as the most likely to win this year’s premiership.
“We have potential up forward with the three talls and with Gary (Ablett) due to spend more time there,” Downie said.
“Our defence improved when (Steven) May returned from suspension and (Rory) Thompson came back from injury. Jarrod Harbrow and Kade Kolodjashnij head the running, attacking defenders.
“But our midfield lacks class and losing Prestia and O’Meara in particular means we need to build up the midfield with quality players.
“With the existing group and the return of (David) Swallow and Gary in bursts we have a base to work on but we need more. All games are won in the midfield.”