GOLD COAST'S club-defining fortnight ahead will at this stage not include trying to lure Port Adelaide defender Jack Hombsch.
The Suns may turnover a quarter of their list – including delistings – by the end of the NAB AFL Trade Period, which starts Monday and ends Wednesday week, with many comings and goings being touted.
Hombsch, who is contracted for next year but aware the Power is open to trading him, was linked this week with a move to the Queensland club as a possible replacement for Steven May.
Whether that eventuates remains to be seen, but Gold Coast football boss Jon Haines told AFL.com.au there had been no contact between the Suns and Hombsch, or his management.
Tigers Corey Ellis and Anthony Miles and Geelong's George Horlin-Smith will all be at Gold Coast in 2019 if deals can be struck in the next week-and-a-half.
The Suns' first priority is figuring out how to handle former co-captain Tom Lynch's impending exit, with the 2016 All Australian confirming he will exercise his free agency rights to join Richmond.
Lynch is a restricted free agent, meaning they can match the Tigers' offer and look to broker a trade deal, or let him go and receive compensation, likely to be the No.3 draft selection.
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"There are some options for us to consider, but we have to wait until we get that offer and understand what it looks like before making an informed decision," Haines said.
Aaron Hall (North Melbourne), Kade Kolodjashnij (Melbourne) and Jack Scrimshaw, who may end up at Hawthorn, will require trades to be completed to find their way to new homes.
Gold Coast officials are comfortable with all three players exploring other opportunities.
Co-captain May could also request a trade, having met with the Demons, Collingwood, Hawthorn and Essendon in recent weeks.
The 26-year-old is contracted for next season, after which he could depart as a free agent, but wants a long-term deal from the Suns or one of his suitors.
Haines said it would need to be "a really compelling case" for Gold Coast to trade May, but compensation is just one consideration as the Suns reshape their list and aim to improve their culture.
"We've had the debate that if you looked at it as a pure transaction, 'What's fair value for Player X?'," he said.
"If you look at it from a transformational point of view, then you can look at it through a different lens and say, 'What does this football club look like in five years' time?'.
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"We've absolutely had those debates and discussions and we'll continue to have them almost on a daily basis over the next few days."
Another contracted star, Jack Martin, has also attracted interest from the Bombers, but Gold Coast has no intention of letting the 81-gamer go, according to Haines.
"We love Jack, and everything Jack tells us is that he loves the Suns and loves the Coast as well – and he's contracted for 2019," he said.
"We're really keen to have him on board and we see him as a Sun for life."
Haines also confirmed an AFL.com.au report that Gold Coast's three targets for its pre-draft concession picks were Josh Corbett, Shane McAdam and Chris Burgess.
The AFL granted the Suns, as well as Carlton, access to mature-age state league talent in response to their on-field struggles rather than giving them a priority pick in the draft.
South Fremantle midfielder Marlion Pickett has also piqued Gold Coast's interest.
The Suns' delistings to date are Michael Rischitelli – who will be redrafted as a rookie – Michael Barlow, Josh Jaska, Max Spencer and Mackenzie Willis, while ex-Eagle Matt Rosa retired.
Six players remain without a contract: Hall, Kolodjashnij, Jack Leslie, Jesse Lonergan and rookies Jacob Dawson and Jacob Heron.
Visit AFL.com.au or the AFL LIVE Official App on Saturday to read an extended Q&A with Gold Coast football boss Jon Haines on what is being done behind the scenes to get the Suns on track
