Five questionable trade deals from the Gold Coast Suns’ short history in the AFL

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.

2021 - Trade with Fremantle

Gold Coast receive: Future second-round pick, future fourth-round pick

Fremantle receive: Will Brodie, Picks 19, 61 and 69

The most recent deal in our list that has only cast more questions over the Suns' off-season business model.

While the stunning breakout campaign for Will Brodie couldn't have been foreseen, this deal was already a worrying deal prior to this season's commencement.

Brodie wasn't even seen as the headline asset in this swap, with Pick 19 joining him in heading to Fremantle in what was another 'salary dump' deal.

Pick 19 - seen as equal value to an earlier first-round selection given it opens night two of the National Draft - was the most valued piece of this trade, and was packaged with later selections in return for second and fourth-round picks for the 2022 National Draft.

The Dockers would add highly-rated local midfielder Matthew Johnson to their list with Pick 19 (eventually Pick 21), as well as using their later selections to secure Academy product Eric Benning to end their draft night.

Bring Brodie's stunning season into the mix, where the midfielder ranked top 10 in the AFL this year for clearances, contested possessions and disposals, and this deal is abysmal.

2020 - Trade with Geelong

Gold Coast receive: Future third-round pick

Geelong receive: Pick 27

Hard to make much sense of this one, with Geelong pretty much pocketing a second-round selection in a straight swap for their a future third-round pick, which was tied to Melbourne.

Like the Bowes deal, had this one been offered up by the Suns to the rest of the league, several clubs would have quickly jumped into the queue.

The Suns' acquisition would end up being Pick 52 for the 2021 National Draft - 25 spots and 496 fewer draft points than Pick 27. Collingwood would also be the club that ended up using the pick, selecting Harvey Harrison.

Geelong would go on to secure Shannon Neale at Pick 33, with the selection having been pushed back after father-son and Academy bids.

In summary, the Suns traded Pick 52 for 33. Truly an astonishing piece of business.

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.

2018 - Trade with Brisbane

Gold Coast receive: Future first-round pick

Brisbane receive: Pick 19, future second-round pick, future third-round pick

To break this deal down quite simply, the Suns parted with a first-round pick in exchange for a first-round pick, a second-round pick and a third-round pick.

Pick 19 would eventually be traded on from the Lions in a deal that would land them Lachie Neale, a player that has since won three best and fairest honours and Brownlow Medal.

The pair of future selections the Lions received would also be traded on from the Lions, with those selections eventually landing at 23 and 52 overall for the 2019 National Draft.

Meanwhile, the Suns would go on to use the future first-round selection, which would fall at 17th overall, in a trade with Carlton that saw the Suns send the selection and Pick 22 to the Blues for Pick 11 (Sam Flanders).

Not the worst piece of business the Suns have done, but certainly questionable at the very least.

2017 - Trade with Fremantle

Gold Coast receive: Lachie Weller, Pick 41, future third-round pick

Fremantle receive: Pick 2, Brandon Matera

One of the most frustrating trades in the game's history, particularly if you're a Suns fan.

While the Suns have become accustomed to parting with wantaway talent as part of a 'go home factor' request, often losing out in a deal, the Suns stunningly paid overs for a Queensland product.

Lachie Weller was targeted by Gold Coast as a formidable player that won't be keen on departing the Suns given he will be right at home in the Sunshine State.

But to land a deal with the Dockers, the Suns offered Pick 2, along with Brandon Matera, to secure Weller's services and some later selections.

While Weller has been a great acquisition for the Suns, the price of Pick 2 is incomprehensible.

Fremantle would use that selection on Andrew Brayshaw, that would be the Suns' best player this season and already has a Players' MVP honour to his name.

The Suns would find some fortune with Pick 41 however, landing Charlie Ballard.