Raines departs Academy position
GOLD Coast has lost another key person with academy coach Andrew Raines walking away from the club last week.
The Suns farewelled football boss Jon Haines and midfield coach Josh Francou after the season while Richmond premiership player Jacob Townsend rejected the Suns’ offer to train with the club, preferring to sign with VFL club Southport Sharks.
It comes as Gold Coast academy player Austin Harris joins Essendon’s pre-season with a view to the Cairns product playing for the Bombers’ VFL team in 2022. Harris was picked in the AFL Academy team showcasing the country’s best 17 and 18-yearolds this year for an exhibition game against Geelong’s VFL team.
Raines, a highly-regarded talent nurturer who has closely mentored emerging star Jack Bowes, wants to spend more time growing his business One On One Football, which is an online platform connecting accredited AFL coaches with players for private sessions.
Raines and partner Alyse also had a baby boy, Zander, in May.
Gold Coast has had a significant staff turnover in recent years, but Raines said there was no ill-feeling towards the club he has spent the past seven years at.
“I’ve got a business, One On One Football, that I created that a couple of years ago,” Raines said.
“It was always bubbling in the background and has really taken off the last 12-18 months. Some exciting opportunities have popped up and I’ll be spending more time growing that business.”
Raines said the Suns chose not to list Harris because he wasn’t quite ready for the rigours of AFL.
“He’s going OK, but still needs a bit more development,” Raines said.
“A lot of the kids up here are a year or two behind in development and when you throw Covid in the mix and their lack of ability to play against other states, especially the southern states, he probably just needs a bit longer.
“I think that was the club’s call there, plus we only had so many spots.”
Meanwhile, the first QClash of the 2022 AFL season between Gold Coast and tbe Brisbane Lions has been confirmed for Sunday, April 24, at Metricon Stadium.
The full season fixtures are expected to be revealed today.