Patchwork Suns to make things work
GOLD Coast are poised to become the sewn-together Suns in 2019.
Half the team Gold Coast field next season could be made up of players who have either left rival clubs because they couldn’t break into their best 22 or have been delisted and sought a chance to remain in the AFL.
They were ripe for the picking for Gold Coast who targeted mature-age players with AFL experience and who needed opportunity elsewhere.
Corey Ellis and Anthony Miles (Richmond), Jack Hombsch (Port Adelaide) and George Horlin-Smith and Jordan Murdoch (Geelong) all arrived through the trade period while former Fremantle key position player Sam Collins was picked up as one of Gold Coast’s three special assistance state league players.
WE HAVE ALL COME FROM SUCCESSFUL FOOTY CLUBS AND WE CAN DEFINITELY BRING EXPERIENCE JORDAN MURDOCH
Josh Corbett and Chris Burgess were granted their first AFL contracts by the Suns on the same deal as Collins.
The group join Nick Holman, Aaron Young and Harrison Wigg who arrived through similar circumstances last year. The moneyball tactic from a club that needed to fix their salary cap issues will now try to use the group who want to prove their doubters wrong to take on the clubs that they believed weren’t among their best.
Murdoch said the group shared a common journey and were out to prove they belong at the top level.
“We have all come from successful footy clubs and we can definitely bring experience,” Murdoch said.
“We are all here for a reason, we want to play the best footy we can and in this atmosphere, and under Stuey (Dew’s) guidance we feel this is the best place for us. I’ve been really impressed with the young fellas in the last two weeks.
“We have a really good young core group who will drive the standards and expect things from the older boys which is what you need and want. You want that competition from all ages.”