Women list is in top nick
GOLD Coast are unlikely to target free agents in the coming weeks as they begin the search for open-age recruits.
The Suns and West Coast were the most active of any of the four expansion clubs during last week’s sign and trade period, securing 10 players each, while Richmond (six) and St Kilda (nine) left more room open on their lists.
A second sign and trade period begins tomorrow, where established clubs will likely enter the market and more player movement will begin.
The free agency period will begin next week for players who haven’t received new deals with their current club or for those looking to move.
Gold Coast women’s football manager Fiona McLarty said the club would take a “wait and see” approach when it came to free agent signings.
“We are really happy with our expansion signings so far,” McLarty said. “We will watch really closely to see what happens and who might become available. Some of the strong clubs can’t keep everyone and can only re-sign 22 players so we will watch closely to see what happens. Wee don’t anticipate we will be active.”
Gold Coast has 13 of a possible 30 signed to its AFLW list for 2020 and can sign any open-age priority recruits, women from their academy, between now and August.
McLarty said the club would wait until after the 2019 Women’s Winter Series before deciding what open-age players to offer deals.
Gold Coast have two potential captaincy options already following the arrival of former Brisbane skipper Leah Kaslar and her Lions vice Sam Virgo.
They and fellow recruit Jamie Stanton look poised to help the club well into the future after expressing their interest in coaching at the end of their playing careers.
“Leah has already coached a few of our younger talent and is really eager to work with them,” McLarty said. “All three of those players have expressed an interest in furthering their coaching opportunities. We will work with them through our academy programs in the first instance. Leah and Sam already have their level two coaching qualifications and we will expand our female academy.”