• 10 things we learned from Thursday night's draft
• Watch video highlights of your club's recruits at the Draft Tracker
GOLD Coast has added to its key position talent by snapping up imposing Calder Cannon ruck/forward Peter Wright at Thursday night's NAB AFL Draft.
Wright, at one stage touted as a possible No.1 selection, was taken by the Suns with their first round pick, No.8 overall.
Suns list manager Scott Clayton said Wright was just too good to pass up.
The 203cm, 102kg Wright is a giant of a man who forged his reputation as a sound overhead mark and long, accurate shot for goal.
He is mobile and impressive in the ruck, good below his knees and has great running capacity for someone his size.
Wright will join – and learn from - the likes of Suns vice-captain Tom Lynch, Charlie Dixon and Sam Day in a forward line loaded with size.
Gold Coast added pace, agility and pressure with its remaining two selections, taking South Fremantle's Jarrod Garlett (No.15) and Wright's Calder teammate Touk Miller (No.29).
Garlett is a midfielder who can push forward and was a standout at the Draft Combine, finishing second in the standing vertical leap and fifth in the beep test.
The Suns have shown a liking for West Australians in their short history, with Garlett to join former No.1 David Swallow, Harley Bennell, Jaeger O'Meara, Jack Martin and Brandon Matera.
What the club says
"We showed our coaches today in a briefing, vision and data on six players and we got three of them. We're very happy." - Scott Clayton, list manager
Selection No.8 – Peter Wright (Calder Cannons)
"He's going to have a great AFL career. He's got magnificent skills for a tall guy. He plays in front naturally, he's a magnificent kick and he's going to kick a lot of goals and create a lot of headaches for AFL teams. We couldn't say no to that opportunity."
Selection No.15 – Jarrod Garlett (South Fremantle)
"He's got that beautiful speed and endurance combination. He's tough, he's a great runner, he's a great ball user and he puts high value on work and he wants and expects to be a great player - they're great traits. He's a chance of being an absolute elite AFL player."
Selection No.29 – Touk Miller (Calder Cannons)
"He's got leadership, he was Vic Metro captain, he can play in every zone on the ground – defence, midfield, forward – he's a manic trainer, he's a great competitor and he tackles maniacally. They're all characteristics that make you play a lot of AFL footy. He's very strong-willed."
