MAY OUT, SWAN IN?

SUNS IN MIX FOR VETERAN:

THE Suns’ season has gone from bad to worse, with cocaptain Steven May ruled out for up to six weeks.

Gold Coast last night confirmed the defender suffered damage to the lateral ligament in his right ankle during Saturday night’s 85-point thumping by the Cats.

May sustained the injury after colliding with Patrick Dangerfield as he attempted to spoil the ball late in the game.

In positive news, Aaron Young has escaped serious injury on his right ankle and is a chance to play this week against the GWS Giants on Saturday, should he get through training this week.

Midfielder Aaron Hall was set to undergo scans.

Meanwhile, Gold Coast will consider extending the career of Sydney’s Jarrad McVeigh in a Luke Hodge-type mentoring role.

The Sydney Swans’ veteran faces an uncertain future after coach John Longmire surprisingly said on Saturday that McVeigh was expected to retire at season’s end.

McVeigh, 32, is having an outstanding season averaging 22 possessions a game in defence, and would be placed high in the Swans’ best and fairest after 11 rounds. While his cards may be marked in Sydney, it’s understood the premiership defender could be open to playing on in a 16th season.

Gold Coast are interested in McVeigh, in part, to add his class and vast experience to the Suns’ young playing ranks.

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew also has a strong connection with McVeigh, 32, from their time at the Swans when Dew was there as an assistant coach.

The Suns are set to miss finals for the eighth-straight season and could also lose cocaptain and gun spearhead Tom Lynch.

McVeigh, who is one of the AFL’s most respected leaders and durable players, could help fill the Suns’ leadership vacuum next season and provide strong guidance.