Gold Coast midfielder Hugh Greenwood has defended his club's call to be temporarily delisted, as the Suns look to aid their list strategy ahead of the National Draft later this month.
Greenwood will be re-listed ahead of the new season, along with defender Rory Thompson, in a move that had plenty of onlookers perplexed given Greenwood's calibre.
Having led the AFL for tackles per game this year in being a key figure for Stuart Dew's side, Greenwood's temporary axing ignited questions over the Suns' list loophole.
โWeโve had a deliberate strategy on improving our list over the past four years and that hasnโt changed during this yearโs trade and draft period,โ Suns GM of player talent and strategy Craig Cameron said on the decision.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
โHaving a high number of contracted players, we have had to explore all possible options to comply with AFL requirements.
โI would like to thank Rory, Hugh and Jez for agreeing to this temporary measure which will allow the club to redraft them to our list ahead of next season.โ
The move, along with Jez McLennan's delisting and eventual re-selection at the upcoming Rookie Draft, is set to give Gold Coast the flexibility to draft three players and therefore reach the AFL's required total of recruits via the draft.
While some have looked to criticise the measure and the AFL's allowance of such a move, Greenwood has since taken to social media to set the record straight.
Still On The Primary List
Still On The Same Contract
Still Been Medically Cleared To Train/Play For Over A Month
Still At The Suns
Still See Everyone Round 1
Was happy to cop the odd clickbait article & social nuff if it meant assisting the clubโs overall list strategy. ๐ค๐ผ— Hugh Greenwood (@HGreenwood3) November 11, 2021
The Suns currently hold picks 3, 97 and 115 for the National Draft on November 24-25, with Greenwood and Thompson tipped to be taken with the latter two selections.
Greenwood has played 32 games in his two seasons with the Queensland club and was limited to just 15 appearances this year due to a knee injury that ended his campaign prematurely.
The 29-year-old claimed fourth place in the Suns' best and fairest count last season in his first year with Gold Coast, playing all 17 games.
