JAEGER O'Meara has dropped a bomb on Gold Coast, requesting a trade after five years at the club.
It's a huge blow for the Suns, who are also likely to lose fellow out of contract midfielder Dion Prestia.
Gold Coast released a statement on Thursday afternoon saying it would drive a hard bargain for O'Meara's services at the trade table.
"As Jaeger doesn't qualify as a free agent, AFL rules dictate he holds no rights to determine his destination of choice," chairman Tony Cochrane said.
Suns shut up shop on midfielders
"With that being the case, Jaeger is on the market to a club that can provide us compensation we are prepared to accept.
"Should an appropriate exchange not be met he will have the option to enter the draft.
"It's the right time for the club to make a stance."
It is believed midfielder O'Meara wants to head to a Melbourne-based club.
Already holding five picks inside the first 25 in November's NAB AFL Draft, the Suns want at least one – or more – ready-made midfield replacements for O'Meara.
They are not interested in draft picks.
The club is adamant O'Meara will be sent to the draft if an appropriate deal cannot be struck, to send the message Gold Coast is not a training ground for young players before heading to a preferred destination.
O'Meara, 22, came to the Suns via the Greater Western Sydney 17-year-old mini draft at the end of 2011.
He told coach Rodney Eade of his intentions on Thursday morning and then spoke to the playing group early that afternoon before the club released its statement.
The West Australian won the NAB AFL Rising Star award in 2013 and did not miss a game in his first two seasons.
O'Meara has been dogged by injury the past two years, with a severed patella tendon in a NEAFL practice match in 2015 costing him 15 months on the sidelines.
He returned to play parts of three NEAFL matches in July before requiring surgery again.
O'Meara has played 44 AFL games.
