Gold Coast Suns News

Gold Coast vice-captain Nathan Bock is dragged into the doping scandal engulfing the AFL following a News Limited report that he is being investigated by ASADA for alleged use of banned peptides in late 2010.

After an embarrassing 10-goal thrashing at the hands of Gold Coast, embattled coach Demons Mark Neeld vows to keep pressing on.

"Everyone knows in the 18 months that we've been here - you jot down some of the things that have happened at the football club - it's been a life experience for all of us," Neeld said.

"But we're still here. We're up for it, absolutely up for it."

Suns coach Guy McKenna has some reservations about whether to bring Campbell Brown back straight into the side after the veteran has finished serving his six-game suspension.

"We know he can compete, there's no issue with that … can he sustain that for four quarters? That's the big coaching dilemma we've got this week," McKenna said.

"Would we be better off, as we have for the last six weeks, just punishing him after training?

"He says he's in the best physical shape of his life, and that's him probably telling me he wants to play this week in the seniors, but he does look good and he does look sharp."

After kicking six goals against GWS as a forward, Charlie Dixon says he is thriving in his role as a backup ruck.

"I think the ruck's really helped me because it's got me up and around the ball and I've been able to stay in the contest, whereas up forward I can get a bit stagnant and go cold and not be able to impact the contest so much," Dixon said.

Dixon says an improved aerobic capacity has allowed him to spend more time in the middle.

"At the end of 2011 all the coaches cracked me and I decided I needed to work a lot harder than I was," Dixon said.

"I trained hard, tried to get a good pre-season and do everything I can to get my body right and put my name up for selection.

"I'm able to move a lot better, cover the ground better and be able to run out a full game."

Jaeger O'Meara is the round five NAB AFL Rising Star nominee after notching 25 disposals and 2 goals against GWS.

"I don't worry about all the hype, I don't read the papers, I just worry about footy and how the coaches want me to play," O'Meara said.

"The rising star nomination is recognition for playing good footy and I'm happy to get it."

Matthew Warnock will be out for two months after fracturing a bone in his left arm during the Suns' 38-point loss to Port Adelaide.

After dominating against St Kilda in round one with four goals, Gary Ablett says he may spend more time up forward as he gets older.

"We have got so many guys who can run through the midfield and the more time we can get into those guys the better we will be as a team," Ablett said.

"In each game this year, my role might change. I'll still get to run around in the midfield, but depending on who we play I might play two to three quarters up forward."

Jaeger O'Meara says being forced to wait a year before debuting was a positive for him as his body wasn't physically ready for AFL football.

"My body broke down half way through a NEAFL (Queensland state league) season," he said.

"So, if I was to have played AFL, I'm sure I would have broken down within a couple of games.

"I had adductor surgery last year and it was good to get it done, because I feel cherry ripe for round one."

After spending a year on Gold Coast's list, Jaegar O'Meara will finally make his AFL debut for the Suns in round one.

"There is a little bit of pressure coming from the expectation but that's more external stuff. I'm pretty determined and focused to do well for the team," O'Meara said.

"I'm definitely very excited. I've been here for 12 months now and it's been a long time coming, so I'm excited to get out there and play some footy with the boys."

Karmichael Hunt says he expects to improve in 2013, as he did in 2012, despite not placing any specific expectations on himself.

"I didn't go out last year to have the year that I did," Hunt said.

"I just went out and put my best foot forward. I guess if you give 100 per cent effort and your intentions are to succeed and get better then I don't see why you can't continue to improve."

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna says Nathan Bock is still weeks away from returning from a broken leg.

"His goal was to play round one everything going well, and everything's gone well, he's just underestimated the work you have to do coming back off a broken leg," McKenna said.

Jesse Lonergan will miss the start of the season after landing awkwardly and fracturing his hand during a practice match against Melbourne at Southport.

"Jesse has had a fantastic pre-season and had done everything possible to gain selection for the first game of the season," Gold Coast general manager of football operations Marcus Ashcroft said.

"While the injury is extremely disappointing for Jesse, he will be back training and available for selection in the early part of the season."

The Suns will take a cautious approach with Seb Tape and Trent McKenzie, with both players returning from knee injuries via the reserves.

"It's been definitely challenging, but I think it's good to experience those things early and build a bit of character and find out who around you is there to support you," Tape said.

"I'm really positive about how I can attack that sort of an injury and feel really comfortable now coming back with the footy and looking forward to playing some games."

"It was pretty tough. I tried to look forward and finish the year off strong, which I think I went all right. Hopefully I can start earlier this and have a good year," McKenzie said.

"It's been a tough pre-season for myself but I know it's a big season ahead. Hopefully I can get on the track pretty soon and play some footy."

Zac Smith says he will need to increase his level of aggression after learning from Suns assistant coach Matthew Primus.

"As a player he (Primus) was pretty aggressive, jumped at the contest hard, so he's taught me technique to do that and how to tackle those contests," Smith said.

"I think it's always something that's going to be evolving and something I'm always going to have to work on.

"Naturally I'm not that way (aggressive), but it's something I have to work on. As soon as I cross that white line, [I need to] switch on that aggression."

Zac Smith, Trent McKenzie and Seb Tape are among five Gold Coast players who have signed contract extensions.

The trio - all inaugural members of the squad - have been joined by Queenslanders Jackson Allen and Clay Cameron.

Jared Brennan says playing social basketball in Brisbane during the off-season, without the knowledge of the club, has reignited his passion for sport and football.

"It was just a thing that progressed, to go back and do something for the love of it," he said.

"There's more to life than just playing football. Playing b-ball socially, with some mates at a rec centre on a Wednesday night, just created a massive love for sports again, which I didn't have for a few years. It was kind of refreshing."

Jesse Lonergan has impressed Suns coach Guy McKenna with his work ethic at training.

"He's already mastered the art of training with intensity," McKenna said.

"He's naturally bigger and not used to the load, but he doesn't leave any stone unturned. You know you're going to get as hard a trainer as you possibly can."

Gold Coast's mini-draft recruit Jack Martin has been given permission to play in the NAB Cup.

Harley Bennell wins the Polly Farmer Medal for being best afield in the Indigeous All-Stars big win against a depleted Richmond in Alice Springs.

"I've known Harley since he was in the AIS Academy - I was his mentor there and to see him come on, he could be one of the really good players in the AFL, a real top liner,'' All-Stars coach Michael O'Loughlin said.

"He's starting to realise the work rate and professionalism and dedication you need to succeed at this level and he's building a career not for one, two or three years, but to get a 10-plus year career out of it.''

Campbell Brown and Mav Weller are seen to face off in a heated exchange at training which included verbal taunts.

"As far as I'm concerned that's healthy feedback and we move on," Brown said.

"We've really worked this pre-season on communication to one another. While that probably didn't look great, the message certainly got across.

"There's no hard feelings. These things happen all the time, and you take it and move on."

Gold Coast forward Jacob Gillbee charged with drink driving, blowing .137 after being pulled over for a routine breath test in the early hours of Sunday morning.

"We have spoken with Jacob this morning and he is very embarrassed by the situation he finds himself in, and well aware he has let himself and the club down by making this unacceptable individual choice," Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

Karmichael Hunt says he is looking forward to his new role as the Suns' tagger and will work closely with skipper Gary Ablett to learn his craft.

"I'm relishing it at training. I'll obviously be around the ball a lot more, and hopefully I can get a few jobs done," Hunt said.

"Gazza has been on the sidelines a bit of late and I haven't been able to mark-up on him, but I'm sure he'll teach me a few lessons once he's ready to go.

"I think he's got every trick in the book, and if he can give me any insight into what he doesn't like, I'm sure it's going to be beneficial for my game."

New Gold Coast conditioning coach Stephen Schwerdt says the Suns are the equal to Adelaide on the track.

"I've only got one club to compare them to, but they stack up equally, if not better in most areas, in regards to work ethic, attitude to do all the right things, attention to detail, their hardness to train - that's all elite, and for me has been a highlight," Schwerdt said.

"Something I prided our team on in Adelaide was that they did that well and we created that culture over a number of years.

"I feel like we've got a bit of a head start here because a lot of that has been established already."

Gold Coast announce a revamped leadership structure for 2013 that will not include former leaders Karmichael Hunt, Zac Smith and David Swallow.

The Gold Coast board endorse Gary Ablett as captain of the Suns for the third straight season.

Ablett will lead the team ahead of vice-captains Nathan Bock and Michael Rischitelli.

Suns forward Liam Patrick is carried off the ground during training with a hamstring complaint.

Patrick is expected to be sidelined for two to four weeks.

Jarrod Harbrow will move into a more prominent midfield role in 2013 after spending most of his time with the Suns' backline in years past.

"I will be spending more time up-field, up on the wing," Harbrow said.

"I'll spend some time in the backline but also some time in the midfield. That's where I've been training. I've been playing a fair bit on the wing and it's something I'm comfortable with."

Brandon Matera will wear a moon boot for a week and has been sent for new orthotics to deal with foot soreness.

"The doc has me wearing a moon boot for the rest of the week as a precaution, and I'll be back training in runners the week after," Matera said.

"It's a minor setback. I've had a really good pre-season so far so it's not ideal but I'm confident, based on the training I've done, that I'll be available for the NAB Cup."

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna plans to transform Karmichael Hunt into a midfielder by first playing him as a tagger in 2013 on some of the competition's best clearance players.

"Playing on them and squeezing the life out of them and then learning to work off them, the good taggers end up doing that," McKenna said.

"Eventually, the best way to stop them is to beat them to the ball but that tends to happen over years. It is the evolution."

Gold Coast recruit Greg Broughton says he is enjoying life with his new team.

"I knew a couple of boys before I came over, so [I'm] settling in quite nicely. The boys have welcomed me in and I'm enjoying it, having fun," he said.

"It's an exciting young group and I'm looking forward to starting in the next month. It's been hard work over the last couple of months, meeting new guys and a new coaching group, but it's been great."

Veteran Sun Campbell Brown says controlling his aggression will be difficult after being forced to sit out the first six weeks of 2013 due to suspension.

"I don't think it's something I can temper too much because I think if I do, I'll be useless out there, because it's one of my main attributes," Brown said.

"The coaches certainly haven't told me I've got to temper it. I've got to get the balance right because obviously I'm no good sitting on the sidelines.

"I've got to make sure that when I do [go to bump], I get it right, because when I don't, the ramification are quite high."

Campbell Brown says he hopes new Suns assistant coach Matthew Primus will help to boost Zac Smith's aggression.

"He certainly needs to work on that aspect of his game. Ruck is super important," Brown said about Smith.

"I think Matty Primus is the best man to bring out that aggression because it all starts with the ruckman in the middle of the ground. I think if you're an aggressive ruckman in the air and on the ground it adds an enormous benefit to the side."

Nathan Bock aims to be back in the side by round one of 2013.

"I saw the surgeon just before Christmas and he was happy with the progress we're making," Bock said.

"I would like to think round one is a realistic possibility but we will just have to play it by ear."

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna, however, believes Nathan Bock's aim to play in round one may be a little on the optimistic side.

"The Saints clash may be ambitious but I like the way he is thinking," McKenna said.

"My reports were that we were going to manage him until Christmas (so) he's probably done more than what we expected prior to the holiday break - that's why I'm optimistic."

Harley Bennell ends 2012 on a sour note, charged with disorderly behaviour and failing to obey an order given by a police officer during New Year's Eve celebrations in Western Australia.

Bennell was one of several people arrested when fighting broke out in the nightclub district in Mandurah, south of Perth. He was taken to Mandurah police station and released on bail in the morning.

Nathan Bock says he wants to put his 2012 season, plagued by suspensions, injuries and off-field dramas, behind him.

"I'm happy to put this year in the back of the mind and concentrate on 2013,'' Bock said.

"It was obviously pretty draining and it was frustrating at the start of the season to miss those two games because of the suspension.

"Then I felt like it took me a few weeks to get into form and the game I really felt the best was the one against Fremantle when I ended up breaking my leg.

"Then obviously the stuff with mum had been dragging on for a little while as well and the year was mentally quite challenging and physically very challenging.

"It was probably the toughest year I've had in footy.''

Karmichael Hunt drops up to 15kg, tipping the scales at 87kg, the lightest he has been throughout his professional career.

"Karmichael has been training well and is in great shape at the moment but you can't not lose weight given the amount of running he has had to do," Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said

"Especially in his new role in the midfield, he has covered a lot of kilometres.

"He has had a season in the VFL and two seasons in the AFL so it was only a matter of time before his body shape became more suited to the demands of our game."

Josh Fraser will next year play with at his junior club Mansfield in the Goulburn Valley league and will also serve as their assistant coach.

"I suppose originally I wasn't really keen on playing at all (in 2013)," Fraser said.

"I guess as time went by I thought that if I was going to play then Mansfield would be a great fit, because that's where I played my junior footy.

"I was always keen to come back and thank the club and the town for all the support they've given me, so it's going to be a good fit."

Joel Selwood breaks his nose after an accidental knock from Josh Caddy during a training session at the Mount Beauty football oval.

Despite training with Richmond, Josh Toy is overlooked in the 2012 pre-season and rookie drafts.

"We looked at his past and the way he played, and he's a terrific kid. In the under-18s he played with really great power and he's a really efficient kick," Tigers recruiting manager Francis Jackson said.

"He's a talented kid, perhaps he needs to just play with a bit more consistency.

"AFL footy is a tough caper and I'm sure if he has the desire and sticks with it, plenty of players find their way back into a list and get another chance."

Gold Coast defender Jack Hutchins is on the road back after a horrific kidney injury which he sustained while playing for the Suns' reserves last season.

"It was frustrating. With a kidney you can run around and do everything but you just couldn't do the contact stuff," he said.

"You felt fine and could run around but you just had to wait. It was frustrating, but you look at the positives from it - every time you get injured you learn more about your body and how you can control it."

A refreshed Jared Brennan has been a standout over the Suns' pre-season, but admits he almost gave up after a disappointing 2012.

"If I did give it away, I'd probably regret it for the rest of my life," he said.

"I've still got a few good years left in me and if I gave up now it was probably the easy way out. I don't want to be known to take the easy way out.

"That's the thing that's driven me this pre-season, to give everything I've got in every aspect - training, off-field, on-field - and we'll see where that takes us."

Cameron Mooney says favourite son Gary Ablett could finish his career back at Geelong if Gold Coast Suns fail to improve.

"Every time he speaks to his mates back home, I think they say, `When are you coming home, Gaz?'" Mooney said.

"So he knows he's popular back here and he is very close with his mum and his brother and sister and his father. The Geelong Football Club and the Ablett name - it's a magic potion, I tell you."

Tim Sumner says he has learnt from the mistakes of older brother Byron, who was axed by the Swans in 2011.

"He made a mistake being there and he said 'once you get up there, just do everything right'," Tim said of Bryon's advice.

"Listen, respect everyone else around you and you will go well. He said don't follow in his footsteps."

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna denies the club's plan to win a flag within three years has put more pressure on him.

"Two years have past, so as far as I'm concerned what he's saying in the next three years is exactly what we were talking about probably at the end of 2008," McKenna said.

"Does it put any pressure on me? It certainly doesn't. I'm not going to change my coaching, I'm not going to change my selection process going into games and things like that."

Jesse Lonergan is already broader and stronger than at least half of his teammates and says he has learnt a lot from his uncle Sam who played for the Bombers.

"He's taught me pretty much everything about the game, how to pick the ball up, how to kick it, belted me up when I was a kid, so that's probably why I put on a bit of size so I don't get belted up by him," Lonergan laughed.

"He's like a big brother to me, he teaches me a lot about footy and a lot about life. I try and mould bits of my game off him."

Young Sun Jaeger O'Meara says he's thankful of having an extra 12 months to prepare for his first AFL season.

"It's definitely given me time to develop my body and spend time with the coaches and learn the game-plans," O'Meara said.

"It's given me a lot of confidence going into this pre-season. If I got to the club this year I wouldn't have the body I have now. I've put on five or six kilos and I know the game-plan, I know the boys and I can't wait to play."

Gold Coast recruiting boss Scott Clayton says Suns youngster Jaeger O'Meara is as good as anyone in this year's draft.

"I imagine if you asked 17 other AFL clubs, they'd all have him, certainly in the first group," Clayton said.

"Whoever goes number one this year, (I'm) very respectful for what they've done but our footy club's really excited that Jaeger O'Meara's here."

Gold Coast is set to unleash Jaeger O'Meara who already has the footy world anticipating a brilliant career.

"He is a very level headed young man. I think he has got high expectations of himself but also realistic ones at the same time," Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"I think you'll see him going out next year pretty confident in his ability to play senior footy but also realistic that playing AFL footy is a tough caper. He knows that but he is well prepared."

Jared Brennan has taken the first steps in breathing life into his stalled AFL career by shining during Gold Coast's Arizona training camp.

"It's pleasing. It's not surprising Jared can perform to that level, we've seen it before, it's just pleasing he's come back with a fantastic attitude," Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"For him to perform the way he did - and for his peers to acknowledge him - shows he's ready to have a bigger pre-season and hopefully a big season when it starts."

Richmond invites delisted ruckmen Cameron Wood and Orren Stephenson to train at Punt Road while also seeking permission for former Gold Coast midfielder Josh Toy.

Gold Coast's Taylor Hine and Port Adelaide's Ben Jacobs have nominated for the draft, but contentious Crow Kurt Tippett hasn't as he faces charges that he breached AFL player rules.

A back injury is restricting Gary Ablett during the Suns' pre-season boot camp in Arizona.

"He has done a lot of load through the camp and he has done almost everything," Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"The thing now is because it is getting late in the second week there is no point risking him if he is a little bit sore."

Gold Coast Suns coach Guy McKenna says that Karmichael Hunt, unlike Israel Folau, will not be returning to the NRL anytime soon.

"I don't think that is going to happen (with Hunt), that's for sure," McKenna said.

"K represented Australia (in rugby league) and won titles at the Broncos. He was elite at that sport and he came back to be the 700th player in the AFL and has had to work his way through.

"I know we finished 17th last season, but he was in our best midfield most of the year and it's a great testament to his drive and coachability."

Fellow rugby league convert Karmichael Hunt says he was shocked to learn of Israel Folau's decision to quit the AFL, but says it was the right one.

"I was a little bit shocked like most people," Hunt said.

"I guess it's a pretty brave decision on his behalf and I respect his decision because he felt his heart's not in.

"It would have been unfair to a lot of people, including himself, if he just stayed on and carried on. I wish him well."

Josh Toy has been delisted by Gold Coast, with the homesick Victorian keen to find a new club.

"We want to commend Josh for the contribution he has made to the club. We wish him every success and all the very best for the future," Suns general manager of football operations Marcus Ashcroft said.

"Josh and our other delisted players leave knowing they played valuable roles in our club's establishment and will always be welcome at the club in the future."

Josh Toy must decide if he wishes to nominate for the pre-season draft after the Suns could not find him a new club during the trade period.

"We weren't able to find a home for him," Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"So we'll sit down again over the next few days with Josh and his manager and work out what's going to happen with our list and how he goes forward."

Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft says the Suns will try their best to help young defender Josh Toy find a Victorian club.

"We're looking after Josh and making sure he can get back to Victoria," Ashcroft said.

"We're concerned about his welfare and helping him get to a club for next year."

Despite a new contract offer from Gold Coast, Joshua Toy tells the Suns he wants to play for a Victorian club next season.

Gold Coast ruckman Tom Hickey has joined St Kilda in exchange for a first-round draft pick.

"We are extremely pleased to have acquired Tom. At only 21 years of age, we feel Tom still has significant football development ahead of him," St Kilda's head of football Chris Pelchen said.

Gold Coast's pre-season has started but Tom Hickey and Joshua Toy have a week off as their futures are being decided.

Sam Iles is one of four Gold Coast players delisted by the club which also includes Alik Magin, Lewis Moss and Piers Flanagan.

Gold Coast has continued to shore up its list after re-signing Mav Weller, Liam Patrick and Danny Stanley.

Kyal Horsley has also been elevated to the senior list.

Gold Coast has offered utility Danny Stanley a new two-year contract after his impressive form in the 2012 season.

"He played at a high level for those games and the output was fantastic so we think he deserves to be here for longer," Suns general manager of football operations Marcus Ashcroft said.

"It's a good reward. He's had two good years. He finished top-five in the best and fairest in 2011 and top three this year, so it's just reward for his performance and we think he can play to that level for the next two years and hopefully beyond."

Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft has hosed down concerns surrounding Josh Toy's heart condition.

"It has not affected his footy over the last 12 months we don't think," Ashcroft said.

"I think with a full pre-season - we all know he is highly talented, a top five draft pick two or three years ago - so we know he has got the talent, so it is just about getting him conditioned enough to see that talent through."

The heartbreak story of this year's grand final, Hawthorn defender Tom Murphy, joins Gold Coast Suns as a free agent.

"I will be forever grateful to everyone at the Hawthorn Football Club, I really enjoyed my time there but I'm now really looking forward to continuing my career with the Suns," Murphy said.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson thanked Murphy for his time at the Hawks.

"Tom has made a valuable contribution during his eight years at Hawthorn Football Club and I'm sure he will be an excellent leader and teacher for the younger players at Gold Coast," Clarkson said.

"He is much admired and respected by our playing and coaching group and we wish him well in his next AFL opportunity."

Gold Coast has signed Hawthorn defender Tom Murphy, an unrestricted free agent.

"Tom not only brings great experience from Hawthorn to the club, but we believe he will play a vital role in continuing to develop our group on and off the field," Suns' general manager of football operations Marcus Ashcroft said.

Cats recruit Josh Caddy says a return home to Victoria should see him play his best football.

"I'd like to think I'm a pretty strong character and could've played footy up there," Caddy said.

"But I think playing AFL footy is hard enough as it is, so I think your heart's got to be completely in it.

"To be completely honest, my heart wasn't completely in playing footy for the Gold Coast, just because I'd rather be living in Victoria."

Cats recruiter Stephen Wells says Geelong got the most it could from the two compensation picks it received for Gary Ablett after using them to obtain Billie Smedts and Josh Caddy.

"We'd like to think that we've used the compensation picks to the club's best advantage," Cats recruiting boss and list manager Stephen Wells said.

"When they were allocated, they were both going to be (picks that fell) out in the 20s while the expansion teams were involved in the compromised drafts.

"The pick that we've traded to the Gold Coast sits next to where we finish on the ladder, and we hope Josh can help us finish up the ladder."

Geelong has secured the signature of prized Gold Coast 20-year-old Josh Caddy after agreeing to an exchange of draft picks with the Suns including their remaining Gary Ablett compensation pick.

"We are really pleased to have Josh coming to our footy club," Cats football manager Neil Balme said.

"He is a quality young man, and he's had two years in a very good program up at Gold Coast. We think he can add a lot to our team."

Young Gold Coast Suns defender Josh Toy's fight to continue his AFL career with a serious heart condition is revealed.

Toy has a congenital heart block which severely restricts his aerobic capacity.

"It's not going to affect him on the ground, he's not going to drop dead or anything like that," Toy's manager James Pitcher said.

"He actually hasn't even completed a full pre-season yet either."

Gold Coast's Joshua Toy is undecided about his future at the Suns and is considering a return to Melbourne with several clubs interested.

"I haven't really got any indication, at this stage, when he'll actually make his final decision," his manager James Pitcher said.

"But I've left the ball in his court and I'm waiting for him to get back to me."

Josh Caddy's manager Peter Lenton confirms Geelong is the most likely club to secure the exciting midfield prospect.

"I would suggest that Geelong's compensation pick is probably one that's attractive to Gold Coast," Lenton said.

"If I felt as though there was one specific club leading the charge, I think they're fairly well-placed.

"But things can change. It's a bit hard to say at this stage, but I think that's where it sits at the moment."

Geelong's coaching panel continues to be bolstered by former Lions players, with the club announcing Shane O'Bree will become an assistant.

"I have a lot of respect for the club and I will be looking to help the club continue with the success it has enjoyed over the years," O'Bree said.

"Working with Gold Coast the past two years has been enjoyable but I am happy to be back home and working with the Cats."

Kurt Tippett's younger brother Joel is prepared to travel anywhere for another chance at AFL football.

"Joel took himself from the Gold Coast to Adelaide this year with a clear cut vision of trying to get back into the AFL system," Tippett's manager Peter Blucher said.

"He thought playing in the SANFL was the best mechanism by which he could do that and he's done that.

"Their surname is the same, but Joel will go wherever Joel has to go to have a crack at playing league footy again.

"They are unrelated in this situation, completely."

Gold Coast's Maverick Weller has had interest from up to five clubs after struggling to get a game for the Suns.

"He's just seeing what opportunities are out there for him. He hasn't ruled out going back to the Suns but he just wanted to dip his toe in the water," Weller's manager Tim Hazell said.

Gold Coast wants Kurt Tippett but will not use SA youngsters Sam Day or Daniel Gorringe as bargaining chips with Adelaide.

"We've always spoken about not wanting to compromise the growth of our young list. We want to make sure that we keep our young players together for as long as we can and we don't want to compromise that," Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"We'll look at options to make sure that we get a good player like Kurt into the side, but not to the detriment of breaking up our young talent."

Melbourne confirms its interest in Chris Dawes and Josh Caddy and is also keen to talk to Sharrod Wellingham.

Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft says the club is keen to get full value in a trade for Josh Caddy.

"This year he played every game, and the development that our guys have put into him over two years is hard to measure," Ashcroft said.

"How do you rate his potential? He might well go into a side next year and play up to All Australian potential.

"We need to add all those things up and make a calculated and considered judgement, and hopefully a deal is worked out."

North Melbourne, Geelong and St Kilda have all expressed interest in winning the services of Gold Coast's Josh Caddy.

Richmond's desire to snare Greater Western Sydney midfielder Dom Tyson could be aided by Western Bulldogs in a trade involving the highly-rated youngster and a combination of picks from the two Victorian clubs.

GWS, however, are adamant they will not be easily convinced to allow Tyson to return home to Melbourne.

"It is absolutely not going to happen," Giants football chief Graeme Allan said.

Sacked Port coach Matthew Primus has taken a job with the Suns as the club's midfield mentor.

"Matthew's ability to educate and develop our ruckmen and key position players, as well as working with our midfield group, ensures our playing group will benefit from the best possible tuition as we continue to develop our list," Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

Brett Ratten pulls out of the race to be the Power's next head coach as Gold Coast confirms that they have approached both Matthew Primus and Brett Ratten to fill a role at the Suns as senior assistant coach.

"We are committed to expanding our coaching panel for the 2013 season," a Suns' spokesman said.

"Matthew and Brett both have senior coaching experience and we believe have a significant amount to offer our club should we be in a position to secure either of them."

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas confirms Ratten's decision to withdraw his interest in becoming the Power's next senior coach.

"We respect Brett's decision,'' said Thomas.

"We are comfortable with Brett's decision as we work through the field to find the best candidate.''

Gary Ablett says returning to Melbourne down the track is a definite consideration for him.

"I do miss my family and friends, but I am enjoying my time up there, it's a fantastic club and we've got great people around it," Ablett said.

"I've got three years up there, it kind of depends on what happens in the next three years. If we're lucky enough to get a premiership or two in that time I might even give the game away and move back down here.

"But I'm not sure, it's too far away to answer that question."

AFL golden couple Gary Ablett and Lauren Phillips call it quits after having been together for the better part of nine years.

Phillips was noticeably absent from the Most Valuable Player awards at Docklands recently, which Ablett won for the fourth time.

Gold Coast says it won't let Josh Caddy return to Victoria without decent compensation after Caddy informed the Suns he wanted to be traded to a club in his home state of Victoria.

"Our philosophy is we have to do what's best for the footy club. The trade will be in the best interests of our list and our team going forward," Suns' general manager of football operations Marcus Ashcroft said about Caddy.

"He's had another year of footy, he's one more year experienced, played every game. How do you work out what's reasonable?

"How do you put a value on potential as well? It's one we have to sit down and work out amongst ourselves."

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett has been voted the AFL's Most Valuable Player by his peers, winning the Leigh Matthews Trophy for a record-breaking fourth time.

"Being the captain up there, I've had to change a few things about how I've gone about football on the field and off the field," Ablett said.

"There's no doubt that although I'm 28 now I'm going to keep trying to improve my game and hopefully help the team get a premiership."

Josh Caddy is set to become one of the hottest properties in the AFL trade period after quitting the Gold Coast Suns.

"It was a tough decision to make as I have many great mates at the Suns and know that the club is on the right path to future success," Caddy said in a statement about his decision to leave Gold Coast.

"I do though believe the move back to Melbourne is the right thing for me."

Match Review Panel chairman Mark Fraser has slammed Quentin Lynch's decision to launch recklessly into North player Scott McMahon during the Eagles' elimination final against North Melbourne.

"We believe that's breaching a duty of care as a player. If you go into a contest knees first like that, even though there is an attempt to hit the ball over there. We think that's worthy of charging," Fraser said.

"It does have the potential in the worst case scenario that you break somebody's back. It was a very forceful hit and we believe that's a charge."

Gary Ablett has won another award, taking out his second consecutive best and fairest award at Gold Coast.

Ablett polled 215 votes, winning ahead of Harley Bennell (163 votes) and Danny Stanley (84 votes).

Richmond midfielder Trent Cotchintakes out the AFL Coaches' Association best player award ahead of Collingwood's Dayne Beams and Gold Coast Sun Gary Ablett.

Luke Darcy says Gold Coast should consider getting rid of Jared Brennan, describing him as 'a gimmick'.

"He hasn't fired. He hasn't shown any leadership. He looks uninterested. He's a gimmick," Darcy said.

"You look at him at times and think, 'what are you doing?'"

Gold Coast ruckman Josh Fraser has called time on his 218-game career after two matches this season.

"I'm sure all our young rucks are better people and I think our club's a better place for having Josh Fraser in it," Suns coach Guy McKenna said.

"Off the field and in the NEAFL competition, what he's been able to do for our other rucks has certainly fast-tracked them into bona fide ruckmen."

Blues assistant Alan Richardson says Brett Ratten remains positive despite the intense speculation over his coaching future following a terrible performance by the side against Gold Coast.

"In Brett Ratten's mind right now, from what we see as coaches, it's about making up for an incredibly disappointing performance," Richardson said.

"It's got noting to do with Brett Ratten, in terms of his own future, it's all about making sure that we respond as a footy club and a footy team this week.

"He's an incredibly selfless person."

Gold Coast's Trent McKenzie says a club-imposed ban drove him to one of his best games of the season against Carlton.

"It was pretty bad. I tried to pick it up on the weekend and give something back to the team," McKenzie said about his suspension.

"It was pretty hard, but I've moved on."

Carlton coach Brett Ratten responds bluntly to questions over his future after a shock loss by the Blues to Gold Coast.

"What do you reckon mate? Come on, you asked the question. What do you reckon?" Ratten said to a reporter.

When the reporter replied with "I imagine so", Ratten continued.

"Good guess, well done," he said

"I'm just asking the question," the reporter said.

"I'm just giving you the answer," Ratten replied.

Jared Brennan is dropped for the second time this season but Suns coach Guy McKenna says the utility will not be offered for trade in the off-season.

"He finished sixth in our best and fairest [last year] so we know he's a quality player. Under duress last season he performed really well," McKenna said.

"We hold hope he can show us and he'll determine that, whether he gets back in the side and remains at the footy club because of his passion, his intensity and his ability to play football."

After a successful second year at the Suns, Karmichael Hunt has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a chest injury.

"I think everyone including people outside the media would say that he has been a success this year," Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"He has definitely improved on last year and after a switch [from defence] to the midfield. We were always confident about him but I would say he has even pleasantly surprised us.

"He made a big impact on games, not on sheer weight of possessions but with his physical impact on contests. He was a tower of strength for us. There is a good reason he is in our leadership group."

Steven May excels as a forward with 22 disposals, 13 marks and 3 goals against Hawthorn after having played mostly as a defender.

"Maysy through a lack of fitness had struggled down back," Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said.

"This game he went forward, it was played in his terms and he took full toll, which is a credit to him."

Gold Coast has suspended big-kicking Trent McKenzie for one-match after he failed to attend a recovery session.

Suns coach Guy McKenna praises David Swallow for his strength as the midfielder ends his 2012 campaign due to a knee injury that has plagued him for most of the year.

"For him to go through that, it's something you don't want to do with young players, and there'd be only a select few you'd do it to, but he's of that character you know he's always going to end up on top of things," McKenna said.

"He's seen enough action and duty for this year and we'll make sure he's right and ready to go for the end of the season."

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna says veteran Josh Fraser is last in the pecking order of ruckman at the club.

"If we've got an opportunity to play a [young] tall ruck/forward and he and Josh are the same level, we're probably going to play a kid," McKenna said.

"If we need a tall ruck and Josh is there and we need someone to be picked and the rest of the boys are injured, Josh will get his opportunity. He's fully aware of that. He's known about that for a while."

The future of veteran ruckman Josh Fraser is in doubt after being overlooked for Saturday's clash with GWS despite Gold Coast being depleted in its ruck stocks due to injury.

Gold Coast midfielder Dion Prestia grew up in a family of Melbourne fans, but hopes to leave them unhappy after Sunday's clash between the sides at the MCG.

"I think dad will probably be supporting the Dees on the weekend," Prestia said.

"Hopefully [I can disappoint him]. He's been used to disappointment lately, especially growing up.

"You always want to see the team you supported for 18 years have a win, but hopefully this week dad might be disappointed for another week."

After feeling "cooked" in his first year in the AFL, Karmichael Hunt says he is approaching the end of this season in top condition and is only one of four players from Gold Coast to have played in all possible 17 matches so far this year.

"I feel like I'm only getting better. I felt probably the best I've felt in a long time. I don't want to have a rest but I'm not too sure what the coaches are thinking," Hunt said.

"The experience of last year - and I've got two pre-seasons under my belt - I'm definitely in better shape than I was this time last year. I've felt like I'm moving well and don't feel like I'm holding the team back at all."

His style on the field may be flashy, but Gold Coast's Jarrod Harbrow has become a dependable leader off it as he gets set to play his 100th game.

"He's brought a real sense of culture," Gold Coast development coach Andy Lovell said of Harbrow.

"His ability to work with Harley Bennell and Liam Patrick has been outstanding, he's really helped them grow and develop as people.

"He's been an ear for them. He understands them. Bennell and Patrick look up to someone like Jarrod Harbrow because he's older, more experienced, he's lived in the AFL system for a lot longer than they have and he's a grounded person."

Michael Voss may look at using Simon Black as a substitute to extend the career of his star midfielder.

"There's some merit in that but there's still some stigma attached to the sub, and putting a great player in a jacket doesn't look that great," Voss said.

"But if it means making the career of our players that little bit longer, and they can add something valuable, we'll look at all options."

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott says Jack Ziebell's suspension strikes at the heart of the game.

"It was a bitterly disappointing day and a really sad day in my mind for AFL football. I think it strikes at the heart of what this game's about," Scott said.

"Since I've been involved in footy my whole life I've never ever seen a player get suspended for making the ball his sole objective, [or] attacking the ball with ferocity but being punished for the incidental contact that occurred because of that attitude in going for the ball."

Teenage midfielder and Victorian product Josh Caddy from Gold Coast Suns is the round 16 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee after notching 15 disposals and a goal in a 2-point win against Richmond.

"After such a difficult year in 2011, Josh has been outstanding this season," Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said.

"He has displayed maturity and leadership that you don't often see from players in their first or second season of football and has been fulfilling roles on the field well beyond his experience."

Karmichael Hunt's match-winner against Richmond earned the AFL priceless coverage in Queensland and NSW.

"From media coverage of the Gold Coast-Richmond game, Karmichael's straight shooting alone received twice the television coverage during the day following the match than did TV coverage for the entire match the previous round between the Suns and the Cats," Media Monitors' John Chalmers said.

"The coverage in both instances was biggest in NSW, followed by Queensland, then Victoria, reflecting the traction the game is attaining in the northern states."

Karmichael Hunt can scarcely believe he had the chance to live every young footballer's dream in kicking the winning goal after the siren.

"It's a dream of a lot of people to be in that situation and I was very lucky to be that man last night," Hunt said.

"I've definitely dreamt of that and had scenarios in my own head where I could prepare myself if I ended up in that situation, and lucky enough last night I managed to kick the goal."

Karmichael Hunt kicks a goal after the siren to give Gold Coast their first win of the season against Richmond.

"I took the pressure off myself, went back to the top of my run, remembered a few things the coaches have been working on with kicking goals and rocked up and slotted it through," Hunt said.

"I didn't have much time to think to be honest. I've dreamed about situations like that and you've just got to keep it as simple as possible."

Josh Hall was Australia's top high jumper aiming at the London Olympics a year ago but will now make his debut for the Suns on Saturday.

"When I made the decision I told myself 'that's it, it is footy and footy only'," he said about playing AFL.

"But now that London is coming up it could work its way into the back of your mind a little and you could be wondering, 'I could have been there'."

Young Sun Josh Caddy says his future remains undecided, but he is happier than ever on the Gold Coast.

"Nothing's changed as yet. I know it sounds clichéd but I'm going to wait until the end of the year," Caddy said.

"My girlfriend moved up recently and my old man had his surgery during the week and everything's going good there, so everything seems to be going well, but I'll wait until the end of the year to make a decision.

Guy McKenna says he is looking forward to working more closely with Malcolm Blight who has been appointed coaching director at the Suns.

"At a board level, I've constantly sought him out," McKenna said.

"He's the first one to say it's (coaching) tough. This year he's sat at home and watched us from afar, so it's certainly something we've spoken about even since the 18s (2009) and VFL (2010) days.

"The role will be he sits and mentors the coaches and helps out with our week-to-week coaching the boys and match day as well. So I think it's a step in the right direction, for sure."

Exciting Suns Jaeger O'Meara and Alex Sexton are both set for season-ending surgery.

"Jaeger's surgery has been on the radar for some time and following consultation with our medical team, the surgeon and Jaeger, we determined that it would be in his best interests to have surgery during the back half of this season," Suns general manager of football operations Marcus Ashcroft said.

The Suns woes down back have continued, losing Rory Thompson for the rest of the year following ankle surgery.

"It is extremely disappointing for Rory," Suns general manager of football operations Marcus Ashcroft said.

"We saw in the second half of last year what he is capable of, and on the back of an injury interrupted start to the season we were hopeful Rory would finish off the season strongly."

Gold Coast ruckman Zac Smith says being dropped from the side was the best thing for his career.

"I think my first half of the season hasn't been up to the standard of what I set last year. I really want to improve and have a really good second half of the season," Smith said.

"What I've learned is the game is continually growing and can go faster than you pretty quick, so you've just got to keep improving every week, every session."

David Swallow's recovery from a knee injury is taking longer than expected, with the Sun facing another month out.

"He's just started to move around and do a bit of running and strengthening work," Gold Coast football operations manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"When he first did it, it was always around the eight-10 week call, so he's still on track. I think everyone thought we had the bye mid year and he'd be right after that, but it's still a similar timeframe to what was initially diagnosed."

Former first-round draft pick Seb Tape will miss the remainder of 2012 after scans confirmed he will need reconstructive surgery on his right knee.

"The nature of the injury means Seb will miss the rest of the 2012 season and will be in rehabilitation mode when the 2013 pre-season commences," Suns football operations manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

Seb Tape is set for second stint on sidelines after injuring knee against North Melbourne when his right leg was caught under Kangaroos' small forward Lindsay Thomas.

"Sebby's looks bad. A bit too early to assess that at the moment, but it looks nasty," Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said.

"We'll have fingers and legs and arms and everything else crossed for him, but early signs is it's not good."

Gary Ablett says he is frustrated at being placed in a lose-lose situation regarding his contribution to the Suns' development.

"There was obviously talk about the 53 possessions and was that at a detriment to the club, then I came out last week and I didn't have much of the footy at all and didn't play too well and that's also a detriment to the club apparently," he said.

"I won't lie, I have read some of the articles that have been written this year and it is hurtful to hear some of that stuff.

"But at the same time I think it has always motivated me when I've learnt that people are writing rubbish, it's motivated me to want to get out there and prove people wrong."

Jared Brennan has declined to go into specifics about his axing from the Suns but believes his versatility is a hindrance.

"I was still getting a kick but it was other things I had to work on, defensive parts of the game and things like that, but I won't go into detail on what they were," Brennan said.

"I don't think it was attitude, I think I've had the same attitude since I got here. It was certain things, playing inside team structures, which probably mounted up from last year to this year."

After Gary Ablett tallies 53 disposals in yet another Suns loss, Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna denies the team's development is being hurt by Ablett's dominance.

"It doesn't stifle anyone's development," McKenna said.

"Naturally it will be one person's development, because he's in the middle someone else can't be in there, but it's only one person, I don't think it's massive in the scheme of things.

"He got 53 possessions on the weekend because of his sheer competitiveness and work-rate. I don't ever want to stop a player doing that."

Racially vilified Gold Coast Suns player Joel Wilkinson praises Collingwood star Dale Thomas for taking a stand against racism.

"I was shocked when the incident took place and it was extremely upsetting at the time, but the actions of Dale Thomas and a number of Collingwood supporters in the area certainly demonstrate that the overwhelming majority of society finds this behaviour to be unacceptable," he said.

"I hope standing up and raising awareness of this issue goes a long way to ensuring that no other player or spectator will be vilified at sporting events or in society in the future."

Collingwood defender Harry O'Brien says he feels more pity than anger for the fan who racially abused Gold Coast's Joel Wilkinson.

"You may have anger [initially] … but trying to fight that back with more anger results in nothing," O'Brien said.

"[Joel and I] both feel really sorry for a person of this level of awareness and ignorance. It's really unfortunate to be that way."

A Collingwood fan's membership has been torn up after making racist remarks to Sun Joel Wilkinson at the MCG.

Collingwood CEO Gary Pert says the remarks were witnessed by Magpie midfielder Dale Thomas.

"[Dale] made it clear to Joel that if he wanted to take this further, he would support him on that," Pert said.

"Once he advised the club, we instantly prepared the next day to try and find who was the supporter that racially vilified the opposition player.

"That was made easier because of the response of the supporters and members in the area, who were equally disgusted."

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna says Jared Brennan is unlikely to win a recall to the senior side after failing to impress in the reserves.

"When he was dropped and went back to the seconds, I wouldn't say he set the world alight," McKenna said.

"The side did what it did last week, certainly showed some effort … I don't think anyone has put their hand up to be out of the side, so we'd like to get some chemistry and cohesion in the group, so unless we have to make a change through injury, we'll probably just sit on our hands."

Ross Lyon has given a stinging assessment of critics vocal against his miserly game plan, calling them minnows desperate to be heard.

"The teams I coach, have they played perfect football the whole time? No. Clearly they've played some great footy for the majority of the time," Lyon said.

"At the end of the day there's a lot of minnows out there that like to get heard above the pack."

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett explains his on-field exchange with Rory Thompson during the Suns' match against Port Adelaide.

"I didn't think there was an issue at all. Rory couldn't even remember the incident after the game but the media have run with it and made it into a big thing. I moved on pretty quickly," Ablett said.

"I didn't think the body language was great and I wanted to spark the boys up and I felt if we could win that centre bounce and get it forward, it might help the boys out and get a bit of confidence going again - that's all it was."

Gold Coast midfielder Danny Stanley admits he lost belief in himself when sidelined with a back injury.

With the injury being a niggly one, it wasn't anything serious so there was no timeframe, which was probably the most frustrating part," Stanley said.

"I just had to do everything I could to manage it and once I got on top of that then it was a matter of breaking back into the side which was also pretty frustrating, but I worked hard and strung a couple of good games together in the twos and was lucky enough to get picked."

After finally getting a contract extension to guide the Suns until the end of 2014, Guy McKenna admits there were lonely times when he doubted he would be given that contract extension.

"You back yourself in but there's lonely times by yourself," McKenna said.

"We had that disappointing loss against Geelong in the NAB Cup and we go down to GWS [the following week] and we get beaten by them and you continue to scratch your head but you back your faith of the system and the personnel to buy into that and I've been able to see that over the last four to six weeks."