GOLD Coast has prepared itself for yet another early bid on one of their Academy guns, clearing house in the build-up to this year’s draft. An active offseason saw the Suns recruit three fresh faces, while 12 others went out the door by way of trades, delistings, and retirements.

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2024 RECORD: 13th | 11-12 | 99.1%
2024 PICKS: 39, 41, 51, 61
FUTURE PICKS: GCS R1, COL R1, PTA R1, GCS R2, GCS R3, GCS R4

ALL ACADEMY NOMINEES: Nelson Beikoff-Smart, Ty Fitzgerald, Finlay Gray, Lachlan Gulbin, Leo Lombard, Zai Millane, Caleb Nancarrow
LIKELY BIDS: Leo Lombard

POTENTIAL SCENARIOS:

Larke Medallist Leo Lombard is front of mind for Gold Coast, as he firms to become the fifth Suns Academy graduate to yield a first round bid over the last two intakes. The combative, powerful midfielder-forward is already embedded in the club having played in its 2023 VFL premiership.

His decorated junior career and brimming talent is set to attract interest within the 7-12 range. St Kilda, who holds picks seven and eight, looks like being the earliest suitor, while Richmond (picks 10 and 11) has also been linked. Either way, the Suns are prepared and more than willing to match.

Should St Kilda pull the trigger, it would essentially put the Suns to the back of the pack with their remaining selections – expected to make two or three overall. A Richmond bid would place them marginally better in the back-end of the crop, where some late value is there to be extracted.

Gold Coast has done a fantastic job at not only developing its Academy players, but affording them VFL opportunities. Only Lombard and Zai Millane – the nephew of late Collingwood great, Darren – turned out for the Allies this year from the Suns’ top-age crop, but seven have been nominated ahead of the draft.

There is a scenario where the Suns trade back into this year’s draft via its rich hand of six future picks, which includes three first-rounders. Although, it seems more likely that the club replicates its 2023 haul next year, with four club-tied talents in the National Academy and a few more looking draftable.

Whatever pans out, Gold Coast is in a position to target the best available players and perhaps a few who slide in such an even and deep draft. Though, consideration much be taken into the types of players supplied by the Academy in past and future, meaning the Suns may lean towards developable key position talent.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– How early will the Lombard bid be placed?
– Will Gold Coast promote any other Academy talent?
– Can Gold Coast’s 2025 Academy crop match up to 2023?