Weekend Gold Coast Bulletin

Suns add a new signing

- TOM BOSWELL tom.boswell@news.com.au

GOLD Coast have added to their midfield stocks a week from the start of the season with the signing of Victorian Sam Fletcher.

The Suns yesterday secured the on-baller on the final day of the supplement­ary selection period (SSP), sparking celebra- tion from the new addition.

“It’s been my dream to play AFL at the highest level and I’m grateful the Suns have given me that opportunit­y,” Fletcher said.

“I’m looking forward to getting up to the Gold Coast, and doing everything I can to give myself the best chance of playing footy.”

Fletcher, who took part in last year’s Victorian state combine, has been hampered by injury in recent seasons, including a lacerated kidney, but still managed to average 23.5 disposals for the Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup in 2018.

“I knew I just had to keep working hard, keep working on my game and hopefully an opportunit­y would arise,” Fletcher said.

Gold Coast football manager Jon Haines confirmed the club’s interest in Fletcher, 19, on Thursday, labelling the man overlooked at last year’s draft a great fit for the Suns.

“We’re really looking to add some further depth to our midfield and we’ve been monitoring Sam’s progress over the past couple of months,” Haines said.

“He joins us with a really profession­al work ethic, a fantastic attitude and great talent as an inside midfielder.

“Sam displays the character standards we are targeting in potential recruits and has often been recognised for his leadership capabiliti­es within the elite pathway teams he has been apart of.”

The signing leaves Gold Coast with two list spots that can be used for the mid-season draft following season-ending knee injuries to Rory Thompson and Harrison Wigg.

Thompson and Wigg can be placed on the long-term injury list at any stage by the Suns, freeing them up to replace the duo.

IT’S BEEN MY DREAM TO PLAY AFL AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL

SUNS RECRUIT SAM FLETCHER

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