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).
Star Player
After the first six seasons of his career were spent largely under the radar, the 26-year-old Miller exploded in his seventh season, earning a well-deserved maiden All-Australian berth and leading the Suns in admirable fashion.
The Calder Cannons product, who will certainly be in All-Australian contention once again in 2022, averaged a career-high stat-line of 31.8 disposals, 4.5 marks, 7.1 tackles, 4.3 inside-50s and 5.7 clearances.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
The star midfielder ranked fifth in the league in effective disposals per game in 2021, as well as polling fourth in total tackles and fifth in disposals per game.
Miller was, without doubt, the Suns' bright spot in 2021 and goes into the new season as Gold Coast's unchallenged best player.
