GOLD Coast is on the hunt for second-chance desperadoes to complement its high-end draft booty, coach Stuart Dew says.
After the Suns' 102-point loss at Geelong – their 16th defeat in their last 17 games, ensuring they finished second-last – Dew also insisted they were yet to decide which players they would retain and relinquish but those decisions would be made in the next 48 hours.
The Suns coach cited the examples of former Carlton hard nut Nick Holman and ex-Port Adelaide forward Aaron Young as examples of hungry players who can help the club become more competitive.
CATS IN A CANTER Full match coverage and stats
He also reinforced his team's need for midfield depth.
"It's a mix of bringing in some top-end draft picks but also looking for Nick Holman, Aaron Young types," Dew said post-match.
"I think they've been great for our footy club, not only on the ground, they've been durable, played all year and provided good leadership.
"Those guys that are looking for that second chance or another opportunity and are desperate to play and make Gold Coast their footy club, I'm sure there's players like that out there and if they're anything like those two individuals, we'll open the doors."
HAWK FALLS SHORT Five talking points
Veterans Michael Rischitelli, 32, and Michael Barlow, 30, (who was perhaps the Suns' best player against the Cats) are out of contract and Dew left the door open for the pair to remain with the club.
"They're two that we'll have discussions with. You're just a bit wary of whether you change everyone. I think you've got to keep some (experienced) people around as well," he said.
"We don't want to get too young. We've just got to weigh up the whole mix. They won't be decisions in isolation. We've got to look at the whole squad and what we think we need."
WATCH Stuart Dew's full post-match press conference
Dew confirmed Gold Coast defender Jack Leslie suffered a "significant" patella tendon injury in his right knee early in the game – a setback that threw out the visitors' defensive structure given he was assigned to Geelong power forward Tom Hawkins.
"I didn't laugh but it was like Candid Camera. One minute in and you lose your centre half-back who is set for Hawkins so then you've got (Steven) May for (Patrick) Dangerfield or (Gary) Ablett forward," he said.
"But injuries happen. Then you're shuffling your mids more forward than off the ground, so I think we were a little bit gassed in the end. Ran out of legs."
Despite the disappointing on-field results, Dew said he had loved his first year as coach and believed their travel difficulties in the first half of the season due to the Commonwealth games will benefit the club.
"It's been a challenging year, unique with our travel. We didn't speak much about it but I actually think that travel and time together will hold us in good stead going forward. Obviously (it was) not ideal at the time but you get over it," he said.
"As a club I think we've become really aligned. We see growth throughout the whole club. There's much to like – it hasn't transferred to win-loss but we're not alone in that area.
"In and around the club there's a really good feel and we're trying to set a good environment. We've taken a small step in that (area) and we look forward to the off-season, which starts tomorrow.
"We'll be putting our head down to make sure we get going for next year."
