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).
Breakout Player
All signs point to a huge year for Matt Rowell, assuming he's healthy, but everybody seems to be forgetting about the other Suns' top-three draft selection in Noah Anderson.
The 21-year-old spent plenty of time at the centre bounce last year and is poised to spend even more time in the engine room and thrive from the pressure. And, with the majority of opposition attention going to either Miller or Rowell, Anderson should be left with enough freedom to win his own ball and dominate.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
After a 2020 debut season that saw him average 16.5 disposals per game, Anderson upped his possession average to 22.6 in 2021 to go along with 4.2 marks, three tackles and four clearances per contest.
The Oakleigh Chargers product won't go into 2022 with a lot of hype surrounding him, but you'd be foolish not to expect a huge season from the third-year ball-magnet.
