SUNS LOOK FAVOURITES TO SECURE CHOL

GOLD Coast has emerged as the frontrunner for Richmond ruckman Mabior Chol, who is likely to settle on his second AFL club this week.

The Suns have offered the 24-year-old a three-year contract with a trigger for a fourth.

The Tigers cannot match that security and they are about to ramp up their efforts to retain Callum ColemanJones with the expectation that Chol will walk as an unrestricted free agent.

It is unlikely the Tigers would offer Chol a contract longer than two seasons, given he has managed 31 games in six seasons. They also have 2019 premiership ruckman Ivan Soldo on track to return next season.

At the Suns, Chol would team up with budding superstar Ben King as key forwards who can also relieve Jarrod Witts in the ruck.

They desperately need more ruck support after Stewart Dew was forced to coach without one as Witts, Zac Smith and Matt Conroy went down early.

The project player from South Sudan represented Queensland in juniors after his family relocated to Brisbane in 2005.

Chol’s family now lives in Shailer Park, which is halfway between Gold Coast and Brisbane.