Connor Budarick Biography

Gold Coast utility Connor Budarick has been traded to the Western Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs have sent pick No.37 to the Suns, with pick No.70 coming back the other way, to land the 24-year-old. The deal was unlocked after the Dogs agreed to a pick swap with Greater Western Sydney over the weekend, where the Bulldogs parted with pick No.12 to secure picks No.14 and 37 from the Giants.

"His attributes as a small defender give us confidence he can make an immediate impact next year, playing a variety of roles in the defensive half," Bulldogs player acquisition and strategy manager Michael Regan said.

Connor Budarick requests a trade to the Western Bulldogs.

The 24-year-old managed 19 games in Damien Hardwick's Suns team this year, including both finals, playing predominantly as a pressure forward to take his career total to 55 from six seasons.

The number of clubs chasing Gold Coast's Connor Budarick has been whittled down, with the defender narrowing his choices to either the Western Bulldogs or North Melbourne should he leave.

Brisbane and Essendon had also pursued Budarick, but are no longer in the hunt, while he is still strongly considering a two-year offer to stay at Gold Coast in a deal that would take him through to free agency.

Scans confirm Connor Budarick has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee for the second time and will miss a year of football.

"We feel for Connor because he's worked so hard, he's an important member of our side. He's young. He's got a big future ahead of him. He'll fight back. He's a fighter," Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew said.

Following a devastating ACL injury at the start of 2021, Connor Budarick has returned in 2022 in career-best form.

"I think the bittersweet part of it was that I had a couple of other guys that were in the same boat as me. It might have been a different story if I was by myself, but the fact I had a few other boys there with me meant I was able to develop a lot better in the relationships I have off the field. I just took it as an opportunity to challenge myself and get myself better," Budarick said.

Connor Budarick signs a new three-year deal to remain with Gold Coast until the end of 2025.

"I've loved the Suns for many years having joined the Academy as a teenager, so to be able to continue my career here is really exciting," Budarick said.

"We've got a playing group which is really connected and striving for the ultimate success."

Connor Budarick will miss the rest of the 2021 season following confirmation he has ruptured his ACL.

Connor Budarick signs a new deal with the Suns to remain at the club until the end of 2022.

"It's great to get that reassurance to be able to hang around for another few years. Playing for a club that you grew up supporting, it was a childhood dream and now it's become a reality," Budarick said.

Connor Budarick has solidified his spot in the Suns' lineup after being given the task of stopping many of the AFL's best small forwards.

"He's an absolute competitor, and that always stands you in really good stead with your teammates. The second part is the way he prepares. He prepares like an absolute professional. He's a really mature head on a young body," Gold Coast football manager Jon Haines said.

"He loves the game and he studies the game really hard and studies his opponents really strongly. His attention to detail to what he's coming up against each week is really strong."

Connor Budarick is the 2020 AFL Rising Star nominee for round 3.

The powerful and speedy half-back put in a dashing showing in the Suns' 53-point win over Adelaide, gathering 16 disposals and booting the first goal of his career.

Connor Budarick makes his AFL debut for Gold Coast with 8 disposals (3 kicks and 5 handballs) and 3 tackles in a 47-point loss to Port Adelaide.