The Gold Coast SUNS have made a final coaching appointment with former Adelaide best and fairest Richard Douglas to join the club as a Development Coach.
Douglas played 246 games for the Adelaide Crows at AFL level across a 14-year career in the league, winning the Crows’ 2010 Malcolm Blight medal.
Since retiring, Douglas has worked as Director of Football at St Peters College before taking up a position with Glenelg Football Club as the SANFL club’s senior midfield coach.
GC SUNS General Manager of Football Performance Wayne Campbell welcomed Douglas to the SUNS.
“We are really pleased to welcome Richie to our coaching panel for 2024,” Campbell said.
“He impressed us through the interview process with his coaching and management nous and we are confident he has the experience and acumen to guide and develop our players over the coming years.
“Richard’s appointment finalises the coaching group that will drive our club forward under the guidance of new Senior Coach Damien Hardwick.”
After a premiership-winning season as VFL Head Coach, Josh Drummond will return as an Assistant Coach overseeing the backline group.
He joins fellow assistants Shaun Grigg (midfield) and Brad Miller (forwards) as line coaches next season.
Tate Kaesler will take over the role as VFL Head Coach from Drummond and will also be Head of Development – taking over this portfolio from Rhyce Shaw who last month was appointed as the club’s new Director of Coaching – Academy.
2024 Coaching Panel:
Senior Coach: Damien Hardwick
Assistant Coach – Midfield: Shaun Grigg
Assistant Coach – Backline: Josh Drummond
Assistant Coach – Forwards: Brad Miller
VFL Head Coach & Head of Development: Tate Kaesler
Development Coach: Nick Malceski
Development Coach: Richard Douglas
Director of Coaching – Academy: Rhyce Shaw
