ANDREW Swallow's chances of joining younger brother David at Gold Coast are looking increasingly remote, with time fast running out on the former North Melbourne captain's bid for a fresh start.
Swallow, 30, is contracted at North for 2018 but said during last month's trade period he would "love" to join the Suns.
Gold Coast list manager Scott Clayton said at the time the Suns were "open" to recruiting the three-time best and fairest winner provided there was room on their list.
But the Suns had yet to commit to Swallow when the first delisted free agency period closed on Wednesday, with the midfielder's best bet of joining Gold Coast now via this month's Rookie Draft. The Suns have not ruled out that scenario but industry sources believe it is unlikely to happen.
For Swallow to get to Gold Coast as a rookie, North would have to agree to delist him by Thursday's 2pm second list lodgement deadline, something the Roos are prepared to do. The West Australian would then have to nominate for the draft by 2pm next Friday (November 17).
That two-step process is extremely unlikely to get off the ground, however, unless Swallow receives a prior commitment from the Suns.
Check out all the retirements and delistings
Swallow's desire to explore a move from Arden St was sparked by a 2017 season he described as "one of the more challenging years" of his football career.
The inside midfielder was dropped to the VFL for the first time since 2008 as young Roo and fellow inside midfielder Trent Dumont assumed a more prominent role.
Despite returning to play 2017's final 10 rounds, Swallow finished the year uncertain about his future at Arden St.
"I haven't really been in this position before, I've been very fortunate. I've played 12 seasons at North Melbourne and I've always been pretty much in contract, so I've never really had any thoughts about doing anything else or being in a position where maybe I'm not getting a game at the club," Swallow said last month.
"So it's probably a first for me and something I'll probably just let my manager and the club work through."
Asked whether a move to Gold Coast would appeal, Swallow said: "I'd love to get up there with my brother, (but) we'll just have to wait and see."
"They've just appointed a new coach (Stuart Dew). It depends on where their list is at and what they're doing, but that would be something I'd definitely have a look at if it came up.
"I'd love to get up there and really support [David]."
Swallow has played 224 games for North since being taken with pick No.43 in the 2005 NAB AFL Draft.
He captained the club from 2012-16, won the best and fairest award in 2009, 2011 and 2012 and was named in the preliminary All Australian squad from 2010-12.
