Rivals clubs are reportedly keeping tabs on first-year Gold Coast forward Brodie McLaughlin, who has been one of the premiership goalkickers in the VFL this year.
McLaughlin, who was appointed to the Suns' final list spot for 2023 as a Supplemental Selection Period acquisition in February, has booted 34 goals from 12 appearances for Gold Coast's reserves this year.
The mature-aged recruit moved to Carrara after a strong two-year stint with Frankston in the VFL, where he booted 31 goals from 17 games for the Dolphins thanks to his mobile and attacking nous as a 193cm forward.
McLaughlin has enjoyed a breakout year since signing with the Suns, having gone goalless in just one match and enjoying a dominant Round 2 outing against Geelong's VFL outfit to boot 6.3 from 20 disposals - a performance that was backed up the week after against Sandringham where he amassed three goals and 25 disposals.
The 25-year-old's balance of ball-winning and scoreboard impact has him averaging 2.8 goals from 16.2 disposals per game, with McLaughlin currently leading the competition's goalkicking tally.
Given McLaughlin is only tied to the Suns for 2023, coupled with his lack of opportunities at senior level this year, rival clubs are said to be showing some level of interest in the uncapped forward, according toย AFL.com.au.ย
McLaughlin, who, according to the publication, was on the radar of Fremantle and St Kilda prior to undergoing a pre-season training stint with the Suns, is understood to be satisfied with life on the Gold Coast and is eager to commit to the club for 2024 or beyond, however no deal has come yet.
Despite his exploits in the VFL this year, McLaughlin finds himself several spots back in Stuart Dew's pecking order for forward targets, with Ben King, Jack Lukosius, Levi Casboult, Mabior Chol and Joel Jeffrey all utilised in attack at senior level this year.
Chol joined McLaughlin and last year's VFL leading goalkicker Chris Burgess to help steer the Suns' reserves to a 64-point win over fellow flag contenders Box Hill on Sunday, an outing that saw McLaughlin boot five goals and Chol kick four of his own.
Veteran pair Sam Day and Alex Sexton also kicked four goals each to have the Suns strengthen their place atop the ladder with 11 wins from 12 games.
The Suns' VFL side is scheduled to face Essendon at Windy Hill on Sunday to continue their dominant 2023 campaign.
