Gold Coast has confirmed its interest in unrestricted free agent Nick Malceski, and will formally table an offer to Sydney’s star half-back when free agency opens on Friday, according to football operations manager Marcus Ashcroft.
Speaking candidly to AFL’s Trade Radio, Ashcroft flagged the club’s intention in snaring Malceski, who was awarded All Australian honours for the first time this season.
“We’re interested,” Ashcroft said simply.
“Well free agency starts tomorrow, as I think everyone is aware so I guess we are among a number of clubs that are interested. But I guess it comes down to ramping up those discussions in the next few days.
“From our point of view, we have identified that we probably need someone of Nick’s maturity and experience that could play a role for us down back, and if it works out in a way that he comes to our footy club then we’ll pursue those options.”
Gold Coast’s potential signing of Malceski from the 2014 Grand Finalists would be one of the biggest coups in the club’s short history, bringing with him proven premiership experience to a young backline led by twin towers Steven May and Rory Thompson.
Meanwhile, Ashcroft reaffirmed the club’s position for Collingwood runaway star Dayne Beams, who last month requested a trade back to his home state in Queensland.
While the Brisbane Lions have strongly expressed their interest in landing the 2010 Copeland Trophy winner, Gold Coast has the cap space and flexibility to be involved in trade discussions for the restricted Magpie.
“We’ve been really intrigued with how Collingwood and Brisbane have played it out,” Ashcroft said.
“They’ve been going back with no real finality with it. So from our point of view we are flexible enough to be involved in discussions and flexible enough to talk about what might be, if it does not end up being the Brisbane Lions footy club.”
Ashcroft also believes ruckman Daniel Gorringe still has plenty to offer the Gold Coast, despite the former top ten pick currently exploring his options.
“He is a required player at our club next year, being under contract, we’ve identified Daniel to be part of our core list of players and we don’t want to lose Dan.
“But with also understand through his manager that he is keen to explore his options and find a suitable trade, so at the right time when Dan and his manager come back to us, we’ll sit down and talk through some of the options they may have.
“But from our point of view, as of right now he is contract, (and) he is a required player next year and we want him as part of our side for 2015.”
