For the sixth year in a row, the Gold Coast Suns are seemingly giving up desirable trade assets in a deal that will see them pocket a significantly weaker package in return.
Across the past five trade windows, the Suns have been part of some astonishing deals that have left them with little, if any, profit, while their rivals walk away from the table with a smile that is sure to reach their ears.
A pair of clubs, Fremantle and Geelong, have been able to take advantage of the Suns' list issues the most, with both sides having landed multiple bargain trade deals that have only added to a frustrating history for the Queensland club.
The imminent Jack Bowes/Pick 7 deal is the latest questionable piece of business from the Suns, with Geelong again looming as the club to benefit from Gold Coast's inability to retain key players.
But when the Suns can manage to stave off rivals for their own young stars, they're often left needing to pay well north of market price to do so. It's a situation that has led to the Bowes situation, and others, in recent years.
In each off-season since 2017, the Suns have managed at least one piece of business that was, and is, seen as a staggering decision, with or without hindsight in play.
So while Bowes' exit could very easily go to the top of the list, we look at some of the Suns' most questionable trade decisions in their short history.
3. 2019 - Trade with Geelong
Gold Coast receive: Pick 27
Geelong receive: Future first-round pick, Pick 64
Yep, another deal where the Cats have seemingly swindled the Suns, with Gold Coast again giving up an earlier round selection for one that is destined to land at least one round later.
The first-round pick that landed in Geelong's lap was part of the Suns' "rescue package" and was automatically set as a mid-first-round selection.
That pick, which would fall at 15th overall in the 2020 National Draft, would play a part in Geelong's trade for Jeremy Cameron, with the Giants ending up with the selection and acquiring Conor Stone.
Gold Coast would end up selecting Jeremy Sharp with the Pick 27 they received from the Cats, with the Suns flanker now looking likely to depart the club after three years and 20 games.
A bizarre decision to say the least.
