A club that often struggles to lure top-line talent through its doors, could the Gold Coast Suns' trade and free agency plans face a different fate under coach Damien Hardwick?

Since the triple premiership joined the Carrara club, some of his former Punt Road protégés have been linked with a potential move north.

The Suns are loaded with a trio of first-round draft selections for this year's count and have a list on the periphery of premiership contention, with Hardwick another big lure for any player weighing up their future come the off-season.

With a plan to get their ducks in a row for more Academy prospect bidding, the club's early draft selections are set to be up for grabs come the player and pick movement period, meaning talent could be coming the other way at year's end.

So who might Gold Coast have in their sights for 2025 and beyond? We explore five names the Queensland club could consider come the trade period.

OTHER TRADE TARGETS: ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE, GEELONG

3. Jake Kolodjashnij

Another Cats player still unsigned and eligible for free agency, Kolodjashnij could be the missing piece in defence the Suns are seeking.

The breakout of Mac Andrew has seen Gold Coast home to a stellar three-man ensemble on their last line with Sam Collins and Charlie Ballard equally damaging in the air.

But their depth beyond those three, coupled with a lacking crop of medium-sized lockdown options, could see Kolodjashnij emerge as a fitting trade target.

The premiership Cat's ability to negate both tall and smaller-framed opposing forwards has been a key strength in Geelong's success in recent years.

Playing as the fourth defensive option who can take a step up in the absence of either Andrew, Collins or Ballard would also prove fruitful.