They speak almost every week but Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew won’t be getting into Hawthorn forward Jarryd Roughead’s ear this Sunday to convince the veteran to join him at the Suns.
Roughead will be playing possibly the final game of his decorated AFL career against the Suns at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, after confirming earlier this week that 2019 would be his final season.
The 32-year-old and Dew played in the Hawks’ 2008 premiership-winning team and are good mates, with many tipping Roughead to move north in an off-field mentoring role.
But Dew said Sunday would not be the time to discuss the future with Roughead.
“He’s well and truly happy with his lot and grateful for what he’s been able to achieve and so he should be,” Dew said.
“I probably speak to him most weeks but I’ll leave him alone this week, he’s got a busy one.”
The success of Luke Hodge’s two-year stint at Brisbane has prompted calls for a similar experienced head being brought to the Gold Coast to assist the growth of the Suns’ young group.
Another Hawk, Shaun Burgoyne, was linked to the Suns while Adelaide veteran Eddie Betts had to hose down rumours earlier this week he would be leaving the Crows at season’s end.
Dew said the club was on the hunt for an experienced head but had yet to identify their best target.
“The Luke Hodge model – there’s only one Luke Hodge,” Dew said.
“He’s one of a kind … he’s the perfect fit. Someone like a Jarrad McVeigh would’ve been the perfect fit.
“Those guys that have been captains of their footy club. They’re very experienced, can play a number of positions. I guess a real general.
“We’ll see what comes at the end of the year. Just evaluate our options.”
In more immediate matters, off-contract midfielder Jack Martin is poised to return against the Hawks after impressing following his demotion to the reserves last weekend.
The Suns have also announced youngster Will Brodie along with Caleb Graham, Darcy MacPherson and Jez McLennan have all signed new deals committing them to the club until the end of 2022.
