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 protรฉgรฉs 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:ย ADELAIDE,ย BRISBANE,ย CARLTON,ย COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON,ย FREMANTLE, GEELONG
5. Changkuoth Jiath
Another defensive flanker who the Suns might consider should Rioli remain at Richmond for the remaining years of his contract, with Jiath still unsigned for the 2025 season.
Jiath is still a key piece at the Hawks, but there's sure to be some external intrigue given he is yet to settle on a new deal at Waverley this late into the season.
His run and dash has been limited in the last 12 months due to injury, but at full fitness the Gippsland product can be one of the most damaging defensive-half players.
Unlike Johanissen, Jiath would come at some cost given he isn't a free agent in 2024, with the Suns perhaps needing to part with one of their first-round draft selections to attain the backman.
