2025 RECORD:<\/strong>\u00a07th H&A | 15-8 | 124.9% | Eliminated: Semi-Finals FIRST PICK:<\/strong> Gold Coast’s pre-draft list of selections can essentially be thrown out the window, with early bids and pick swaps set to remodel the Suns’ haul. Ironically in a draft expected to draw record low numbers, the prolific Suns Academy program is poised to produce at least handful more graduates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first of Gold Coast’s matched bids will most likely be for Zeke Uwland<\/a>. While back stress fractures restricted him to just four VFL games in the back-end of the season, some clubs regard the hard-running utility as the draft’s top prospect – he just didn’t get the chance to show it this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With several around-the-square players among the Suns’ five trade exits, Uwland will likely slot in seamlessly on a wing or flank with the long-term view to play midfield. He draws comparisons to Sydney star Errol Gulden<\/strong> for his slick left-foot kicking, versatility, and ability to cover the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n West Coast is the club most likely to place a bid for Uwland with pick two, though Richmond is also willing to keep the Suns accountable. That goes for Dylan Patterson<\/a>, too, whose speed and daring outside style suits the Tigers needs. Either way, both are likely to be called out within the top five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n REMAINING CROP:<\/strong> After Uwland and Patterson, there will likely be around a gap of around 15-20 picks until the Suns’ next bid match. That doesn’t mean they won’t get on the phones to work out a trade deal. Essendon is a club which may answer, potentially turning picks 18 and 36 into 21 and 27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clubs like Geelong and Fremantle could then be in to bid on the likes of Jai Murray<\/a> and Beau Addinsall<\/a> in the latter stages of night one. Murray is a clean and smooth moving midfielder who has been largely unsighted due to injury, while Addinsall is a high-volume, highly consistent accumulator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There could well also be a bid for midfielder Koby Coulson<\/a> in the National Draft, with the explosive in-and-under ball winner keen to get to the Suns. State combine invitee Cooper Collins<\/a> may be another consideration as a strong runner who can slot in at either end of the ground, likely as a rookie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As it stands, Gold Coast holds a haul of 3773 points to work with, so will have to get creative to bring in all of those five-to-six Academy graduates. The Suns will also have to consider Archie Hill<\/a> for next year with no first-rounder in 2026, while being committed to re-listing Ben Jepson<\/strong> as a rookie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n KEY QUESTIONS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n – How early will the trigger be pulled on bids for Uwland and Patterson? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2025 PICKS:<\/strong>\u00a015, 18, 24, 28, 29, 36, 52
FUTURE PICKS:<\/strong>\u00a0’26 R2, MEL ’26 R2, ’26 R3, ESS ’26 R3, ’26 R4 | ’27 R1, ’27 R2, ’27 R4
ACADEMY\/FATHER-SON NOMINEES:<\/strong>\u00a0Zeke Uwland, Dylan Patterson, Beau Addinsall, Jai Murray, Koby Coulson, Cooper Collins (all Academy)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pick\u00a015<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GC-Dylan-Patterson-1024x683.jpg\")
Picks 18, 24, 28, 29, 36, 52<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
– Can Gold Coast work out a way to maintain its Academy products?
– Will Gold Coast look for value outside of its Academy haul?<\/p>\n\n\n\n