Nick Riewoldt has slammed his former club over their list management choices heading into this year's trade period, questioning the decision to cool on young Sun Jack Bowes.
Bowes has been linked with a move out of the Gold Coast as the club looks to shed some salary cap space heading into 2023, with the 24-year-old reportedly on a $1.1 million deal over the next two years.
Geelong are also reportedly keen on acquiring the services of the young midfielder/defender, while Hawthorn and Essendon are also in the mix.
In their bid to offload Bowes, and the money tied to him, the Suns are also reportedly willing to offer him alongside their seventh pick in an enticing trade package. Despite this, the Saints have reportedly cooled on the young gun, hesitant to shell out the money to obtain the Sun.
Speaking on Fox Footy's On The Couch program, Riewoldt questioned why the Saints, who are desperate for young talent, would not try and bring Bowes to the club.
“Why would you not be (keen on the trade)?” Riewoldt said.
“If you are a club that is desperate for picks and to bring young talent in and you’re not in the window anyway, why would you not entertain that?”
When Bowes' salary was revealed as the potential issue, Riewoldt dismissed the reasoning.
“Please. With some of the blokes they’ve paid? Unbelievable,” Riewoldt said.
The Saints have lured several players from rival clubs on big money deals in recent years, signing Brad Hill in 2019 on a long-term deal worth around $900,000 per season, while former Swan Dan Hannebery inked a four-year deal worth around $800,000 a season in 2018.
Bowes managed just four games for the Suns in 2022, sidelined for much of the year with a shoulder injury. The 24-year-old averaged 15.6 disposals and 366.3 metres gained in his five games played.
Several other names have been linked to an exit from the Suns with salary pressure mounting, with Izak Rankine, Brayden Fiorini, Jeremy Sharp and Josh Corbett among those expected to be playing elsewhere in 2023.