Gold Coast full forward Mabior Chol is reportedly available to trade after a lacklustre 2023 campaign with the Suns. The 26-year-old signed a four-year deal with the Suns in the 2021 offseason after completing a move from Richmond.
Chol was a standout forward for the Suns in 2022, playing in a Ben King-less forward line. He booted a respectable 44 goals in 22 games last season and proved his worth after the move from Tigerland.
The forward only managed eight senior games in 2023. These appearances game sporadically through the season with the ex-Tiger unable to maintain consistency in both selection and performance on the field. Chol kicked 10 goals in eight games for the Suns in their most recent campaign.
Speaking on SEN Breakfast, AFL Media's Cal Twomey reported that clubs will be targeting the forward due to his current position in the Suns side.
“I think the reality is it's just a positional squeeze in that part of the ground,” said Twomey.
“He was outside the side for most of this year, Levi Casboult is going around again.
“Clearly, Ben King is their spearhead and Jack Lukosius kicked 40 goals this year.
“The other factor with this is that Jed Walter is coming, the big boy from the Gold Coast Academy. He will be playing AFL Footy next year as a high pick.
“Chol kicked 44 goals last season, he's definitely one that's going to be a key forward trade option for clubs."
One of the important pieces at play in the Chol trade option is the new signing of coach Damien Hardwick. Hardwick of course coached Chol during his tenure at the Tigers and could play a role in keeping his ex-protoge. From a personal standpoint, Chol may be compelled to remain at the Suns rather than make the move due to Hardwick's arrival.
Morris added to Twomey's initial report, stating that Chol is "categorically available".
“I want to put some more meat on the bone following Cal Twomey's report… I'm taking it one step further, Chol is categorically available,” Morris expressed.
“If a club wants to get Chol – he's got two years remaining on a deal on good cash – then they can get him, and I don't think they have to give up too much for him."
Chol remains contracted to the Suns until the end of 2025.