After being strongly considered by Gold Coast during last year’s draft period, the SUNS finally plucked late developing West Australian, Cameron Loersch, with pick No. 53 in Friday’s rookie draft.
 
The South Fremantle colts ruckman/forward endured a tumultuous 2015, suffering a bout of glandular fever as well as having to manage persistent patella tendonitis issues.
 
Standing 202cm, Loersch booted 57 goals in the WAFL colts competition in 2014, before missing last season due to illness and injury.
 
Gold Coast recruiting boss, Dom Ambrogio, is confident the athletic big man has overcome the issues that kept him off the park in 2015 and has got himself in good shape ahead.
 
“Loersch is a player we looked closely at last year. He’s had glandular fever this year as well as some patella tendonitis, which he’s overcome both well,” Ambrogio told goldcoastfc.com.au.
 
“He’s got back into training and has been really keen. He’s worked really hard, got himself lean and fit and has really embraced the hard work.
 
“We’re looking to get him over as a tall forward-cum-ruckman in time. He’s 202cm, he’s big, strong, a great contested mark and very competitive.”
 
Loersch becomes the second player recruited from South Fremantle to Metricon Stadium this week, following the SUNS selection of Callum Ah Chee at Tuesday night’s national draft. The pair joins fellow Bulldogs products, Brandon Matera and Jarrod Garlett, in southern Queensland.