GOLD Coast appears set to snare its second state league bargain under the AFL Commission's assistance package, with West Adelaide swingman Chris Burgess close to committing to the Suns.
Gold Coast and Carlton both applied to the Commission this year for priority draft picks following their prolonged on-field struggles, but were instead granted the right to pre-list – or trade – three and two players respectively who had previously nominated for the NAB AFL Draft or been at AFL clubs.
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Burgess, 22, was in the sights of a number of AFL clubs after an outstanding 2018 season in the SANFL and had been invited to take part in the South Australian state combine on October 13.
But AFL.com.au understands the 194cm key position player will no longer participate in the state combine as he prepares to become one of the Suns' three pre-listed players.
Burgess' looming commitment to the Suns comes after AFL.com.au reported on Wednesday VFL forward Josh Corbett was poised to join the expansion club under the AFL's assistance package.
Corbett, 190cm, did not test at this week's NAB AFL Draft Combine because of an eye injury, but it's expected the Suns will confirm the Werribee forward's signing within days.
The Suns have also been linked to high-flying Sturt star Shane McAdam as one of its three assistance picks, but it's understood the South Australian is in Carlton's sights too, possibly with a view to on-trading him to Adelaide.
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Burgess made his SANFL debut in 2016 and has since played 47 games and kicked 24 goals.
A strong overhead mark and penetrating kick, he moved from defence to attack late this season and quickly showed he was just as effective at either end of the ground.