http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-04-10/suns-knocking-on-free-agency-door

GOLD Coast talls Charlie Dixon, Rory Thompson and Zac Smith could become free agents at the end of next season after just six years in the AFL, while teammate Danny Stanley could become eligible after seven years' senior service at his second club.

Given free agency's minimum eligibility period is eight years and Gold Coast did not enter the competition until 2011, no other Suns will qualify until 2018 at the earliest.

However, AFL.com.au understands Dixon, Thompson and Smith will be deemed to have completed eight years at the Suns if they play there to the end of next season because they were eligible for the 2008 national draft but bypassed it to sign with Gold Coast.

Interesting the AFL have elected to use this interpretation of "years of service" - I assume under this interpretation it will mean Hogan, Martin, Crouch etc are eligible after 7 years as well? What about Viney considering we apparently had a contract with him when he was 16?

Could be a couple of big forwards on the market next year if the Suns don't re-sign them.

dixon or smith would be great ruck options to replace jamar - certainly stronger than gawn and spencer.

however, both are terribly injury prone.

and all three are queenslanders.

I like the look of Gorringe. Played well against us and seems to be down the pecking order having been dropped from the side for this week (even though he was better than Smith).

dixon or smith would be great ruck options to replace jamar - certainly stronger than gawn and spencer.

however, both are terribly injury prone.

and all three are queenslanders.

As opposed to our three injury prone rucks? But I get your point...

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-04-10/suns-knocking-on-free-agency-door

Interesting the AFL have elected to use this interpretation of "years of service" - I assume under this interpretation it will mean Hogan, Martin, Crouch etc are eligible after 7 years as well? What about Viney considering we apparently had a contract with him when he was 16?

Could be a couple of big forwards on the market next year if the Suns don't re-sign them.

The article quoted indicates eligible draft year. Different than Hogan or viney.

The article quoted indicates eligible draft year. Different than Hogan or viney.

Doubt it.

None of these went onto an AFL list till they were eligible to play.

Presume it dates from when officially on the playing list.

After reading article, probably not.

Typical AFL, similar to frawley being fa and not rfa due to front-loading.

dixon or smith would be great ruck options to replace jamar - certainly stronger than gawn and spencer.

however, both are terribly injury prone.

and all three are queenslanders.

Dixon would be a great get but Smith is soft don't need him.

Rory Thompson is one of my favourite players. I would love to see him in red & blue, but i would also hate to see the Suns robbed.

I like the look of Gorringe. Played well against us and seems to be down the pecking order having been dropped from the side for this week (even though he was better than Smith).

This^

Rory Thompson is one of my favourite players. I would love to see him in red & blue, but i would also hate to see the Suns robbed.

Poor mans Tom McDonald. Couldn't have both in the same side. Hasnt' played a good game since 2013 anyway.

I like the look of Gorringe. Played well against us and seems to be down the pecking order having been dropped from the side for this week (even though he was better than Smith).

Yeah he was much more physical than Smith v Jamar. Moves well and has neat skills. Physicality has been his big issue to date. He was a star as an under 18.

He's now tried to return to SA twice via trade week and been left at the altar twice. Publicly burnt Port after they went for Ryder and couldn't fit him in this year. But Port have been smart recruiters.

If he's still down the pecking order and out of contract then we could hopefully scoop him up cheaply if he wanted to come to us. We could probably promise him a 3 way duel with Spencer and Gawn for the ruck spot. Or if Jamar goes one more then he and Gawn could battle it out and we could move on from Spencer.

I think he'd be high up on our list of ruck prospects and I'm sure we are monitoring them for a post Jamar world.

Rory Thompson is one of my favourite players. I would love to see him in red & blue, but i would also hate to see the Suns robbed.

I don't share that concern.

I don't share that concern.

haha me either f em all!

dixon or smith would be great ruck options to replace jamar - certainly stronger than gawn and spencer.

however, both are terribly injury prone.

and all three are queenslanders.

Steady on there! Being a Queenslander isn't a bad thing ? I resemble that comment ?