Gold Coast Suns’ list manager Scott Clayton wasted no time following the 2016 AFL season, devoting chunks of time in October and November of 2016 to wheeling and dealing during the exchange period.
He was the driver behind seven trades before moving on to pick up a delisted Fremantle Docker who became a free agent. Clayton then took up a role as selector, a crucial undertaking, since the Suns had four selections in the top 10 of the national draft. He then added a couple more in the rookie draft.
There truly was work to be done. The Suns lost quality on-ballers Dion Prestia to the Richmond side and Jaeger O’Meara is now a member of the Hawthorn Hawks.
The Suns were in desperate straits after losing Prestia and O’Meara, so Scott had to plug that leak, at least for the short term and the proven players and promising rookies he attracted should hopefully help promote a quick rebuild in the coming years.
Scott brought Pearce Hanley from the Brisbane Lions, along with Jarryd Lyons from the Adelaide Crows and Mike Barlow from the Dockers, in the hopes that Hanley can help the run through the back 50 and the middle third, and that Barlow and Lyons can rack up big totals in the disposals department.
