GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 19: Sam Flanders during a Gold Coast Suns Training Session at Heritage Bank Stadium on February 19, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
Damien Hardwick’s Gold Coast Suns will surely rise higher in 2025 after an “almost season” 2024, headlined by Sam Flanders and fuelled by some gun half-back recruits.
Fixture
Gold Coast play in Opening Round, meaning they’ve got an early bye in Round 2 alongside GWS which is a turn-off. They’ve got the middle round of the mid-season byes in Round 14.
Squad Changes
Ins
Cooper Bell (No.49 draft pick), Asher Eastham (Rookie Draft), Zak Evans (Category B rookie, Melbourne Renegades (BBL)), Lachlan Gulbin (Category B rookie, Broadbeach), Elliott Himmelberg (free agent, Adelaide), Ben Jepson (SSP), Max Knobel (Rookie Draft), Leo Lombard (No.9 draft pick, Academy), John Noble (trade, Collingwood), Daniel Rioli (trade, Richmond), Ben Jepson (SSP, Southport Sharks)
Outs
Rory Atkins (trade, Port Adelaide), Sandy Brock (delisted), Levi Casboult (retired), Sam Day (delisted), Brandon Ellis (retired), Oskar Faulkhead (delisted), Jack Lukosius (trade, Port Adelaide), Darcy Macpherson (delisted), Jack Mahony (delisted), Hewago Oea (delisted), Will Rowlands (delisted), James Tsitas (delisted)
Snapshot
Running Half-back flankers John Noble and Daniel Rioli are the major additions which will impact their defensive distribution, probably squeezing out the likes of Alex Sexton while Rory Atkins has left for Port Adelaide.
Makeshift forward Jack Lukosius was traded to Port, while fringe duo Brandon Ellis and Sam Day have moved on. Lukosius’ exit may open up a spot for a young forward.
Injury returns
Lachie Weller played 6 games last year after returning from an ACL injury in Round 19. He didn’t find his best form, nor a clear spot in the side, but with more of a runway, he should offer upside, especially if deployed on a wing.
Mainstays
Sam Flanders has been a revelation over the past season-and-a-half, taking his game up a few levels. He spent time off the half-back last season, but has been talked about for a midfield/half-forward role in 2025. Given his defender status, he’ll be high owned.
Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson are solid midfielders, who attend high centre bounces. Anderson’s form, however, reflected the team’s issues, excellent at home, poor away.
Room for improvement
There’s quite a few in this category, headlined by Touk Miller who had injuries interrupt his 2024 season, seeing his Fantasy average drop to his lowest since 2020. Only a few years ago he was a 120s guy in both formats. He turns 29 in February, so he’s not over the hill.
Former no.1 Draft pick David Swallow played 20 games last year but was sub or subbed in almost half of them, impacting his average. If he commands a regular spot in the 22, he could be an option given he’s got defender/forward status. That’s a big if for a 32-year-old.
Keep an eye on Gold Coast’s ruck situation, with Ned Moyle coming on in leaps in bounds in 2024, pushing Jarrod Witts for a spot. Could they play both?
Rookies
Broadbeach product Leonardo Lombard is the obvious one, having been taken in the top 10 of last year’s AFL Draft. He’s a dynamic mid-forward who could slot into their side early this season, given there’s no one demanding a small forward role.
Not sure he’s quite ready, but note he earned many accolades in 2024, including the prestigious Larke Medal as the best and fairest player in this year’s Under 18 National Championships, and the Male Academy Player of the Year at the Suns Club Champion.
