Gold Coast Suns key forward Mabior Chol appears an available asset this off-season after receiving limited senior opportunity on the Sunshine Coast in 2023.
With former Richmond mentor Damien Hardwick taking the reins as the Suns' new head man, Chol could well be on his way out, with a pair of clubs -- the Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions -- reportedly having shown interest in the left-footer.
While the Crows and Lions have been touted as potential landing spots, they're not the only clubs that could benefit from his possible inclusion.
SEE ALSO: TRADE NEWS & RUMOURS HUB
Mostly plying his trade in the VFL this year, Chol was a standout for the Suns' reserves, booting 36 goals in 15 games, including an impressive five goals in Gold Coast's preliminary final victory against Box Hill to progress to this weekend's Grand Final.
In his first season with the Suns last year, the ex-Tiger kicked 44 goals in 22 games. Despite that two-goal-per-game campaign, the 26-year-old managed a mere eight senior outings in 2023, having been demoted to the VFL level for the majority of the season.
Chol, stuck behind ex-Blues veteran Levi Casboult and returning staple Ben King, was evidently not a crucial piece in Stuart Dew's plans early in the season. His absence at the senior level was only exemplified by the interim coach Steven King, who, following Dew's dismissal, selected him just twice to conclude the home-and-away season.
With former acquaintance Hardwick now in the fold on the Gold Coast, Chol's playing future at the Suns becomes even murkier, as, at Punt Road, Chol was never a best-22 regular.
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
With key-position forwards always presenting as in-demand commodities, could Chol be on the move to bigger and better things in 2024? Here are five clubs that could use his services.
1. Adelaide Crows
The Crows should expect a dilemma soon as it pertains to their forward line.
Taylor Walker, the established club legend, just put forth the best season of his career. The 33-year-old came runner-up in this year's Coleman Medal with 76 goals from 22 games. While still clearly capable, the long-kicking veteran may not have long left simply due to durability with age.
Developing tall Riley Thilthorpe has been inconsistent over the course of his tenure at West Lakes, averaging a mere 0.9 goals per game in 2023.
His overall career average is just a goal a game. The forward has featured in the ruck too, working second to Adelaide's number-one, Reilly O'Brien. Whether or not he is the guaranteed option to succeed Walker is still unknown, with Chol possibly presenting as an option to aid Thilthorpe with that expectation.
Darcy Fogarty has quickly developed into a reliable goalkicker with the Crows, predominantly acting as a second tall to Walker. The strong-bodied Crow averaged 1.6 goals per game in 2023, showcasing his dead-eye accuracy in front of the sticks.
Whilst both Thilthorpe and Fogarty have the potential to grow into the Crows' next generational full forward, the 26-year-old Chol still presents as depth, if not insurance, for that burgeoning duo, with the potential to grow into more depending on the harnessing of his talents.
