WITH season proper and trade period done and dusted, AFL fans and staff alike now turn their attention towards the draft (November 28-30). The chaos has settled on player and pick swaps, and budding prospects have completed their combines, leaving a nervous wait until they learn their fate.

In the next of our club by club previews, we take a look at Gold Coast’s draft hand and offer insight into how the Suns may utilise the picks at their possession. While the Queensland side has already moved to cover likely high bids on academy talents in 2023, there is some value to be had at pick five this year.

2022 FINISH: 12th

CURRENT PICKS: 5, 45, 68

FUTURE PICKS: GCS R1, GCS R2, GWS R2, GCS R3, ADE R3, GEE R3, GCS R4, ADE R4, STK R4

POTENTIAL ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Lloyd Johnston, Beau Tedcastle, Brinn Little

FIRST PICK OPTIONS:

A bunch of midfield bulls are in contention to be taken by the Suns, who are placed nicely within the top 10. There lies an opportunity to take the best available talent, albeit with flight risks in mind, and they should end up with a powerful prospect with handy points of difference to their current on-ball brigade.

Leading the race is Bailey Humphrey, who stormed up draft boards upon his scintillating return from injury. The Gippsland Power skipper possesses a damaging step and holds his own in contested situations inside 50, adding clear scoreboard impact.

Then there’s Reuben Ginbey, who has the inverse version of Humphrey’s versatility in the sense that he can also ply his trade in defence. He thrived as an inside midfielder en route to taking out state MVP honours this year, boasting the size and all-round athleticism to hit the ground running in the AFL.

Another player who will likely come into Gold Coast’s thinking is Jhye Clark. The Geelong Falcons and Vic Country captain may not have the athletic upside of others in the same range, but does most things well and is super reliable to boot. There are few tougher competitors available.

Though the aforementioned trio will likely front the Suns’ plans, one of Mattaes Phillipou or Elijah Tsatas will slip past Essendon’s pick and be up for grabs. Both cover the ground superbly and have the potential to hurt the opposition with their dynamism.

REMAINING CROP:

After their marquee selection in the top 10, the Suns are likely to add only one more new player to their senior list. Lloyd Johnston and Beau Tedcastle are tied to the Queenslanders via their access to the Darwin zone, but loom as rookie chances. Though the quality of the draft is tipped to dip in the latter stages, there still could be some value in high upside, best available talent in the third round. It could be a readymade player as the Suns push for finals, or a long-term type they snap up.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– Which powerful midfielder will the Suns snap up with pick five?
– Are the Suns done trading into next year’s draft?
– Will the Suns only take two new players?