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.
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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.
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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.
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.
Though the Saints have bonafide key forward Max King in their arsenal, concerns surrounding his injury and form may influence the club to target another tall option this off-season.
It's already well known that King's twin brother, Ben, is off-contract with the Gold Coast Suns next year, having been linked with a move to Moorabbin.
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The need for another key-position talent to aid Max is apparent.
The Saints' small forward duo Jack Higgins and Dan Butler apply plenty of forward-half defensive pressure in addition to their talents as goalsneaks. However, the presence of another tall target to be able to rely on would remove some burden from the two smalls' shoulders.
If St Kilda is to encounter more King injury absences going forward, the potential addition of Chol could alleviate the added pressure to the aforementioned small-forward pair.
Inside-50 entries, the quality of those deliveries, and the lack of genuine targets represented a number of St Kilda's main issues during the club's disappointing elimination final exit at the hands of the Giants. Particularly in the absence of Tim Membrey, extra key-position depth would certainly have aided Ross Lyon's cause.
The Saints should look to the previous successes of teams possessing two domineering key forwards: Geelong in 2022 boasted the lethal Cameron and Hawkins, the 2019 and 2020 Tigers trotted out Riewoldt and Lynch, even as far back as the late 2000s and early 2010s; the Saints possessed the tantalising duo of Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke.
Despite the burgeoning status of the young Hawks under coach Sam Mitchell, Hawthorn's forward line could use an upgrade or two.
Their leading goalkicker this season was 32-year-old veteran Luke Breust, followed by improving youngster Mitch Lewis, who struggled with injuries throughout this year's campaign and was kept out until Round 7.
Fellow tall Hawk Jacob Koschitzke requested a trade to Richmond this week, perhaps highlighting the Waverley club's need for another rangy target.
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Having reportedly received Hawthorn interest this year, Chol presents as an attractive prospect, not just for depth purposes but for the long-term potential he teases.
As Breust's career continues to near an end, the need for a secondary key forward alongside Lewis is clear. With Lewis increasingly seeming like Hawthorn's goalkicker of the foreseeable future, a potential Chol addition would only aid the 24-year-old's continued development.
Considering the previously-mentioned youthful core at Waverley, Chol would already be one of the more experienced players on the Hawks' list.
The Kangaroos arguably boast the best forward among the bottom ten teams in the competition.
Nick Larkey booted a whopping 71 goals for the Roos despite the club's 17th-placed finish on the ladder. As the only tall target for the Roos, adding Chol would free up Larkey in a similar way to Max King at St Kilda.
As they continue through the ups and downs of their protracted rebuilding period, the Kangaroos are always in search of young and emerging talent. Players will continue to come and go from Arden Street as Alastair Clarkson searches for his optimal list combination.
In positive player movement news for Roos fans, Swan Dylan Stephens declared his desire to be traded to the Arden Street club this off-season.
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The Roos have displayed a habit of bringing in talent for more than they're worth, but Chol has the potential to be a valuable pickup if the price is right. He isn't a needle-mover, as his effort level has been questioned in the past, though he can definitely be a serviceable second-tall option to the rising Larkey.
The Eagles, similar to the Roos, need all the help they can get as it pertains to talent acquisition.
West Coast struggled tremendously in 2023, delivering one of the worst seasons ever seen in the history of the AFL. Repeatedly defeated by over 100 points and finishing with a record of 3-20, any player with promise shapes to help Adam Simpson's side.
Retiring veterans Luke Shuey, Nic Naitanui, and Shannon Hurn open the doors of opportunity to the club's younger players.
One of the only bright spots for the Eagles in 2023 was key-position pillar Oscar Allen, who also shapes as West Coast's potential next captain. The 24-year-old pledged his future at Lathlain, recently inking a deal to remain an Eagles until at least the end of 2025.
However, aside from Allen and veteran Jack Darling, the Eagles' tall forward options are modest, putting it lightly.
By potentially adding Chol's presence in the forward line, the Sun, alongside Allen, could be a decent pairing throughout their possible tenure.
While Chol hails from Acacia Ridge in Brisbane, and Lathlain is a considerable move away from home, a shift into Eagles colours would likely see him receive consistent senior opportunities, something he has lacked during his time on the Sunshine Coast.
If the Suns, or more specifically 'Dimma', don't value the big man, the Eagles probably should. The chance to be a genuine star out west must have its appeal, along with the lessened pressure of playing at a rebuilding club.