SINCE season six, nine players have left Gold Coast, many to return to their home state of South Australia.

Because of this, several emerging Suns look set to graduate into new roles in the coming season.

B: V.Saad  L.Ahrens
HB: D.D'Arcy  S.Watson  B.Keaney
C: A.Bradfield  J.Stanton  T.Meyer
HF: K.Howarth  J.Dupuy  T.Groves-Little
F: C.Jones  T.Bohanna
Foll: L.Bella  A.Drennan  C.Rowbottom
I/C: L.Single  C.Whitfort  C.Ransom  W.Randell  E.Hampson 

Emerg: A.Atkins  S.Danckert

Gold Coast coach Cam Joyce speaks with his players at three-quarter-time during round 12, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

Changes from last season

Around the ball, Alison Drennan, Charlie Rowbottom and Jamie Stanton established themselves as dominant midfielders last season and look likely to continue in those roles with support from Ellie Hampson and Claudia Whitfort. The losses of Kate Surman and Jacqui Yorston are less damaging than they might have been, given the recruitment of talented youngsters Alana Gee and Claire Ransom, although Gee looks unlikely to make a big impact this year as she battles a back concern.

Jade Pregelj's knee injury will see her sit out the season, and Vivien Saad has proven she can fill that key defensive gap alongside Lauren Ahrens. The hard running Tahlia Meyer will take her place on the wing, and Daisy D'Arcy offers drive out of defence.

Former Blue Courtney Jones will slot into the forward line to support Tara Bohanna, and while Jones is not quite as tall or dominant as new Hawk Sarah Perkins is, her ability to take a contested mark and turn defenders inside out will prove to be just as important.

Tahlia Meyer at St Kilda training on October 14, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

In the mix

Small forward options Ashlee Atkins and Ashanti Bush have in the past struggled to get themselves into games, but should they prove an ability to get their hands on the ball they will be hard to pass up.

Krystal Scott, Shannon Danckert and Jasmyn Smith sit in line for midfield roles, but it will need to offer something that Hampson and Whitfort don't to make it into the side, while tall option Giselle Davies will likely be battling with Jacqui Dupuy for a place.

Down back, priority selections Georgia Clayden and Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster add key defensive depth underneath Saad and Ahrens.

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