Thursday brought to an end Gold Coast’s most active trade & exchange periods, with Scott Clayton once again showing fans why he is regarded as one of the best talent scouts and list builders in the AFL.
The addition of unrestricted free agent Nick Malceski would have been enough to excite members, with the former Sydney Swans defender turning his back on the 2014 Grand Finalists to instead be part of an exciting future on the Gold Coast.
The All-Australian half-back will bring proven premiership experience and valuable leadership when he laces up the boots at Metricon Stadium next season, and will perform a key defensive role alongside twin towers Steven May and Rory Thompson.
Clayton couldn’t have been more delighted with Malceski’s decision to relocate north to the glitter strip.
“Nick’s decision to join the Gold Coast SUNS is huge. It’s a massive vote of confidence for our club, the players and our future,” he said at the time.
In equally exciting news, Clayton and his recruiting staff came through with a second scalp on the final day of exchange, formalising a trade just hours before the scheduled deadline which saw the club secure Hawks midfielder Mitch Hallahan for picks 47 & 49.
Amazingly, despite giving up the two selections, the master scout still managed to ensure Gold Coast retain three key selections into the top 30.
Clayton and recruiting manager, Dom Ambrogio will now head into next month’s national draft camp focused on adding more elite young talent to the playing list, further spreading the club’s age profile.
They will do so with selections 8, 15, 29, 66, 84, 102 and 120 at their drafting disposal.
The AFL National Draft will be held at the Gold Coast Exhibition Centre on November 27 and the pre-season and rookie draft will be held on December 3.
What they said
"One of the big winners. It gets Malceski (for nothing) and Liston medallist Mitch Hallahan (for late picks). Both slot into the SUNS' best 22 and they still have two first-round picks. Hallahan is a hard body who does some bulldozing to take the heat off Gary Ablett, and consider their half-backs - Malceski, Trent McKenzie, Kade Kolodjashnij, Jarrod Harbrow. Already were going to get better next year and that has now been fast-tracked." - The Herald Sun
"Didn't need to do much after securing Malceski as a free agent. Giving up two picks in the top 50 shows what they think they can get out of Hallahan, a former Liston Medal winner. We know they draft well, and they have three good picks to prove it again." - The Age
"Picked up two hard bodies to assist their young list and kept their early picks. Score: B+" - AFL.com.au
Final wrap
In: Nick Malceski, Mitch Hallahan
Out: Picks 47 & 49
Draft Selections: 8, 15, 29, 66, 84, 102, 120
