CHOL GETS HIS WISH FOR BRIGHT NEW START
MABIOR Chol has secured his expected move to the Gold Coast Suns.
Chol officially linked up the Suns on the opening day of the AFL’s free agency window on Friday after spending six years at Richmond.
“Gold Coast was the club that I wanted to go to and to be able to go there now and be a Suns player is exciting,” Chol (pictured) said. “The Suns have a really young list and I think that is the most exciting thing and a lot of good players too.
“I’m just really grateful that the club has shown a lot of interest in me and I’m the player for them, hopefully I can pay them back for all the respect and trust they’ve shown me to go after me.”
Suns General Manager of Player Talent and Strategy Craig Cameron said Chol would add to its key forward and ruck stocks for next season.
“Mabior is someone who we think complements the direction we are taking and will fit in perfectly here at the Suns,” Cameron said.
“He gives us a lot of flexibility and his best footy is ahead of him.
“He is really athletic, kicks the ball really well and he has got good speed.
“I think he will be a good acquisition.”
Chol’s manager, Ralph Carr, was quick off the mark on Friday by revealing the details of the Richmond big man’s move to Gold Coast.
The free agency window opened at 9am, and soon after Carr posted a social media image of Chol in an official Gold Coast polo with a message of support.
Carr originally released details of Chol’s four-year deal to join the Gold Coast in September.
The Tigers will likely get a thirdround compensation pick for losing the 198cm key position player.
Chol played 31 games for the Tigers with limited opportunities since his 2016 debut, playing a total of 21 games in the past two seasons.
Meanwhile, defender Jake Kelly has switched from Adelaide to Essendon on a three-year deal.
The Bombers lodged paperwork for the unrestricted free agent early on Friday, soon after the player movement period started. Kelly, 26, lined up in 110 games in eight years at the Crows. He featured in 20 this season.
Kelly is the son of Collingwood premiership player Craig Kelly and older brother of Magpie Will Kelly.
He will reunite with Essendon coach Ben Rutten, a Crows teammate in 2014.
“We’re excited to welcome Jake Kelly to the Essendon Football Club,” list boss Adrian Dodoro said.
“We know Jake brings important experience and will work really well alongside the likes of Jordan Ridley, Nick Hind, Jayden Laverde, Mason Redman and Dyson Heppell in our new-look backline.”