Season 2022 shapes as a monumentally important year for the Gold Coast Suns, who have still never tasted post-season action even after 11 years of AFL assistance, as their prolonged state of mediocrity continues to ignite Tasmania relocation talks and results in the exits of young talent to rival teams.
Furthermore, out-of-contract senior coach Stuart Dew is once again in the hot seat, preparing to enter a make-or-break campaign that will either see him back at the helm again in 12 months' time or out of a job.
Over the course of the off-season, the Suns were praised for nabbing generational talent Mac Andrew at last November's draft, as well as luring free agent Mabior Chol and delisted free agents Charlie Constable and Levi Casboult to Carrara.
However, the club was lambasted for its handling of the Hugh Greenwood situation, which resulted in the hard-nosed midfielder's departure to Arden Street to play for North Melbourne. It was a questionable sequence of events to say the least, yet unsurprising, given these decisions were made by the same people who sent now-Lions midfielder Jarryd Lyons packing at the end of 2018.
The entire nation - yes, especially Tasmania - will have a close eye on the Suns in 2022 as they prepare to tee-off on their 12th campaign and fifth under the guidance of Dew.
Off-Season Moves
Ins: Mac Andrew (National Draft), Sandy Brock (Academy), Levi Casboult (Rookie Draft, Carlton), Mabior Cholย (Richmond), Charlie Constableย (Geelong), James Tsitas (Supplemental Selection Period), Bodhi Uwland (Academy).
Outs: Will Brodieย (Fremantle),ย Aiden Fyfeย (delisted),ย Hugh Greenwoodย (North Melbourne),ย Jarrod Harbrowย (retired),ย Jack Hombschย (retired),ย Jordan Murdochย (retired),ย Zac Smith (retired),ย Luke Toweyย (delisted),ย Jacob Townsend (delisted).
Weaknesses
Experience: As previously mentioned, Gold Coast's list is overflowing with young and talented players and prospects. However, it's not so chock-a-block with experienced players and proven winners.
Swallow has been a mainstay at the Suns and is a great leader, but he isn't a game-changer by any means and is gradually reaching the twilight of his career.
Ellis won premierships with Richmond in 2017 and 2019 but, again, he isn't somebody that's going to flip the game on its head.
The closest thing the Suns had to that kind of player was Gary Ablett Jr., and not only is he long gone but not even the 'Little Master' could deliver a Gold Coast a finals berth.
Consistency: In recent seasons, the Suns have had patches of games where they look like an exciting squad that could actually push to play finals football, but during other patches look like a team that barely deserves to play at the top level.
The key for Gold Coast has been, and continues to be, playing consistently good football for an entire season - or at the very least more than just a small handful of games.
Under Dew - and the coaches that have come and gone before him - the Suns have not been able to achieve this.
