MICHAEL Rischitelli is a wanted man on the Gold Coast, but coach Guy McKenna says we will not be guaranteed games next season.
Rischitelli is out of contract, but McKenna said the 27-year-old midfielder currently had an offer in front of him.
Along with offers being considered by experienced teammates Nathan Bock and Campbell Brown, McKenna said he wanted them all three playing with the Suns next year.
The coach also backed Karmichael Hunt to force his way back into the midfield after a season destroyed by hamstring and calf injuries.
Rischitelli will play against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday in his first senior game since suffering a dislocated elbow against Essendon at the same venue in round 12.
McKenna said despite injuries severely hampering the former Lion’s past two seasons, there was plenty of room for his deputy vice-captain in the future.
"Michael Rischitelli is a wanted player, he has a contract before him, like Campbell Brown and Nathan Bock," McKenna said.
"[From] what we understand, they're all very comfortable with those contracts and we're very confident they're all going to stay.
"He [Rischitelli] is part of our midfield/leadership group going forward."
Hunt, like Rischitelli, has played two matches in the NEAFL since his latest injury (calf) setback and is available for selection in the final two rounds.
The development of youngsters Dion Prestia, Jaeger O'Meara and David Swallow, along with captain Gary Ablett and the prospect of impressive rookie Jack Martin next year, is going to put the squeeze on the Suns midfield.
"They need to be able to perform a role," McKenna said.
"Karmichael would be the first to say he still can't run like an elite AFL footballer yet. He can do that for half a game, three quarters of a game.
"That's the evolution of our side. For us to go from seven, eight, nine wins in a season to jump up to play finals football, we can't carry anyone that can only play half a game or three quarters of a game.
"For us to get better they have to run out 120 minutes of football.
"Everyone will be on high alert for that and going into a pre-season understanding that. If you're fit and you're strong and you're in form, guess what, you get to play on the weekend."
