The Gold Coast SUNS Queensland recruiting zone looks set to once again provide the SUNS with an opportunity to select and trade some of the States best young talent.
 

AFL recruiters have deemed that up to three players, tall forward Jordon Bourke - after Geelong opted not to take him as a father-son pick - versatile defender Clay Cameron and midfielder Andrew Boston are all worthy of a pick anywhere between the second and fourth rounds at this year's NAB AFL Draft.

The club will have first call on these players and from the Queensland zone in the last year of the SUNS priority access to Queensland players.

While the SUNS can sign the players prior to the Draft, as they did with Alex Sexton and Jackson Allen last year, the Gold Coast SUNS can also on trade youngsters, potentially strengthening the clubs Draft position.

We are a vehicle for young footballers in Queensland to reach the AFL, whether it be with the SUNS or at another club, SUNS list manager Scott Clayton said.

Along with Sexton and Allen last year, they SUNS improved its Draft positions by trading Dayne Zorko to the Lions and Peter Yagmoor to Collingwood.

How the Gillette AFL Trade Period and free agency plays out for the SUNS will have a large say in their ability to sign players from their zones, with the deadline to do so November 16.

Gold Coast SUNS Football Manager Marcus Ashcroft agreed the club faced some tough decisions on all three players.

We've seen a bit of the boys this year, Ashcroft said.

"They did a pre-season with us 12 months ago and played some reserves footy with us this year, so they've been around our club and they know a lot of our players and coaches.

We've been impressed with the way that they've gone about it - they're certainly great kids - but we have to wait and make that decision in due course.

"We need to sit down once we get through the trade period and work out whether we can include one or a couple or none.

"We need to weigh them up against the players that we've already got that aren't contracted next year as well as our draft picks, which will be finalised after the trade period.

"Until we get to that point we can't make any decisions on that."

As the senior list continues to reduce in size to fall inline with rival clubs, positions on the SUNS senior list are extremely competitive.

"As much as our establishment rules were exciting and great, we knew there would be a tough couple of years [after the first]," Scott Clayton said of reducing the SUNS list .

We've got to pull back four players, which doesn't sound like much, but you add to that you want three draft picks in a good draft, we'll clearly be putting [Jaeger] O'Meara on from last year's trade and then you upgrade a rookie.

"We have Queensland as a zone for the last time and we want to use that to our advantage, so all of a sudden you've got 10 or 11 players and you've got to decide their future.

It's very difficult.

Andrew Boston - Medium Midfielder
Broadbeach, 18, 180cm, 75kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium midfielder who excelled in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for QLD, averaging 18.2 disposals at 70% and winning All Australian honours. Clean hands and neat disposal skills are features of his game.”

Jordon Bourke - Tall Forward
Morningside, 17, 193cm, 83kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Tall forward who is exceptionally strong overhead and a reliable shot for goal. Quick on the lead and reads the ball well in the air. Son of former Geelong Cats ruckman Damien Bourke and is eligible for them under the father/son rule or the Gold Coast Suns as a zone selection. Averaged 12.4 disposals and 4.2 marks for QLD in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships showing his overall potential. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.”

Clay Cameron
Mt Gravatt, 18, 191cm, 83kg
Kevin Sheehan says: “Tall defender who can go forward. Quick and agile key forward who can also play in the backline. Strong overhead, with excellent natural leap and clean hands. A real competitor who had injury interrupt his start to the 2012 season. Played the final three games of the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, showcasing his strong hands and versatility. AIS-AFL Academy member.”