The AFL would consider paying Tom Lynch to be an ambassador of the game on top of his salary with the Gold Coast should he decide to re-sign with the Suns next season.
Lynch will be out of contract at the end of next season, and the young key forward is already the subject of interest from a number of Victorian sides.
The 24-year-old kicked 44 goals from 19 games this season in his first year as co-captain of the Gold Coast, and has 234 goals to his name from his 121 career games.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan spoke about a possible paid role for Lynch next season, but suggested he would not pay his salary before re-committing.
“We would never pay a guy in advance,” McLachlan told Fox Footy’s On The Couch on Monday night.
“If he re-signed with the Suns and he’s the right guy to be an ambassador on the Gold Coast and Queensland, we’d do that. And he’s the type of guy who would. But we would never do a deal in advance.”
Given the Suns' constant struggle to retain top end talent, it may be fair to question players' commitment to the Gold Coast, although McLachlan doesn't see it that way.
“Are we worried? He’s shown great loyalty and he’s a great player,” McLachlan said about Lynch's future.
“If (Suns CEO) Mark Evans makes the right decisions and gets that footy department right, I’ve got no worries because there’s great talent there and he’ll see a future.”
The Suns began making changes to their list ahead of the 2018 season on Monday, as five players were told they were no longer required by the club.
Senior listed players Jarrad Grant and Mitch Hallahan will not be offered contracts for next season and beyond, as well as rookies Ryan Davis, Keegan Brooksby and Cameron Loersch.
