For the 14th season, since they joined the AFL in 2011, Gold Coast failed to make the finals in 2024.
Things looked good with a 39-point first-round win in the truncated opening round against Richmond (coach Damien Hardwick’s old club) that saw them on top of the abbreviated ladder.
Although the Suns followed it up with a win against Adelaide they slumped to third.
After a third-round loss to Western Bulldogs, they dropped to eight on the ladder and although they got to eighth spot on another three occasions, the Suns never managed to climb any higher, losing six of the last 10 games to finish 12th.
Hardwick is this year destined to move ahead of John Longmire, Denis Pagan and Robert Walls on the all-time games-coached ladder and has had the benefit of one full season to assess his playing list and start the process of moulding the team to his style of playing and the club (and the AFL) will be looking for some signs of success in 2025.
Top 100 Game Players Lost: 7.
It is not surprising that a club that has only played 14 seasons of AFL would have so many players in the club’s Top 100 Game Players.
It also is not surprising that seven players ended their careers as Suns at the end of the season: Two – Jack Lukosius (#14) and Rory Atkins (eq #59) – were traded, two retired, Levi Casboult (eq # 50) and Brandon Ellis (#35).
The three Top 100 players delisted were: Foundation member Sam Day (#5), Darcy Macpherson (eq #25) and, Hewago Oea (eq #81).
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Top 100 Game Players recruited from other clubs: 1.
Whilst Gold Coast traded in three experienced players, only one Daniel Rioli (ranked #47 at Richmond) had achieved Top 100 game players status.
Current Top 100 Game Players: 29.
Again, it is not surprising that a club with such a short history should have 29 players in their current squad that qualify for all-time Top 100 status. What is remarkable is that seven of the all-time Top 10 game players will line up in season 2025.
This includes all-time #1 David Swallow, Touk Miller (#3), Alex Sexton (#4), Sean Lemmens (#6), Jarrod Witts (#7), Ben Ainsworth (#8) and Charlie Ballard (#9).
Potential Top 100 Game Players Next Season: 5.
Ben Walter, Ned Moyle, Jake Rogers, Lloyd Johnston and Ethan Read could all pass the bar next year.
Players no longer qualified for the Top 100 Game Players: 6.
A multitude of Top 100 Game Players in 2024, lost their ranking by the end of the season: Kyal Horsley, Jarrad Grant, Keagan Brooksby, Josh Schoenfeld, Jordan Murdoch and Elijah Hollands who is now at Carlton.
Ben King of the Suns celebrates a goal. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Top 100 Goal Scorers Lost: 8.
The seven game players detailed above were all in the Top 100 Goal Scorers as well. So was James Tsitas.
Top 100 Goal Scorers recruited from other clubs: 2.
As well as Richmond centurion Daniel Rioli (#66), Adelaide’s Elliott Himmelberg (eq#57) will add firepower to Gold Coast.
Current Top 100 Goal Scorers: 33.
Again – because of the relatively short period of time they have been in existence and therefore the low bar to entry.
The Suns have 33 current players on their Top 100 Goal Kickers list, including Ben King (#2) – 70 goals behind #1 Tom Lynch and Alex Sexton (#3).
Potential Top 100 Goal Scorers Next Season: 3.
Jake Rogers, Connor Budarick and Ned Moyle are all possible new entrants next season.
Players no longer qualified for the Top 100 Goal Scorers: 0.
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