The Suns seem to have been a bit wayward in season 2021, showing glimpses of promise but struggling for a majority of the time.
Injuries to key players hasn't helped at all, but many would expect there would still be a bit of progression in 2021. It might be time for Stuart Dew to look to the market to remedy some of his sides' shortfalls.
5 Trade Targets: Adelaide
5 Trade Targets: Brisbane
5 Trade Targets: Carlton
5 Trade Targets: Collingwood
5 Trade Targets: Essendon
5 Trade Targets: Fremantle
5 Trade Targets: Geelong
We continue our ‘Five trade targets for every club’ series with the Gold Coast Suns.
The idea of these stories is to identify potentially gettable targets who could fill roles, not just link every club to superstars, the likes of Marcus Bontempelli or Patrick Cripps.
In no particular order, here are five players which the Suns recruitment team would do well to target and potentially poach.
If this move did transpire, it would be one of the most shocking trade deals in the history of the game. Both the King brothers sharing one forward-line... but not at their boyhood club, the Saints.
This is a huge what-if, considering Max has all but signed on with a multi-million dollar deal at the Saints, but you can bet if the Suns even get a whiff of anything that says he wants out of Moorabbin, they will pounce on the opportunity.
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
King hasn't been in great form for the Saints in what amounts to just his second full year of senior football, but showed his talent last season and is seen as one of the competition's most exciting young forwards.
There has been controversy in recent weeks regarding his kicking in front of goals, with Essendon great Matthew Lloyd offering to help him through a well-publicised case of the yips, however the club intervened to keep the issue internal.
RELATED: Lloyd names the 7 best kicks for goal in the AFL
It would take a mammoth offer from the Suns to lure him away from his beloved St Kilda, but a forward-line made up of both King twins would be a sight to behold.
This Tiger tall has been linked heavily with a move to Queensland in recent weeks, especially off-the-back of some promising performances for Damien Hardwick's side.
Chol has found it difficult to nail down a regular spot in the Richmond squad, with Hardwick opting to go with just the one recognised ruckman in Toby Nankervis, and a secondary option - albeit much smaller - in Marlion Pickett.
With 'The Nank' injured over the past couple of weeks, Chol has impressed for the Tigers, most recently in the Dreamtime match where he had a blistering first term.
Ruck
Hitouts
Marks
Disposals
With Callum Coleman-Jones also in line also looking to nail down a spot in the Tigers' lineup, signs indicate that the Tigers will not be able to keep all of their young talls. Meaning, most likely it's Chol who might have to depart.
The Suns would do very, very well to secure his signature.
The Crows tall defender seemingly has been at the club forever, but will become a free agent at the end of this year.
Talia has been a stalwart of the Crows defence for the best part of a decade, and has been a consistent performer for the West Lakes side.
Defender
He's played every game in 2021 and has been putting up some great numbers, averaging 5.3 spoils per game as well as 3.7 contested one on ones, above average numbers for a defender.
MORE: Crows sign two promising young forwards
The 29-year-old is also very adept by foot, averaging 80.1% disposal efficiency so far this year. His free agency means he would be considerably easier to get for Stuart Dew's side, and he would immediately slot in as a set of steady hands down in the Gold Coast defence.
North Melbourne's hard-running midfielder has been in great form in season 2021, however is out-of-contract come season's end.
Dumont has been a stalwart of the Roos' setup for a few years now, and his hard-running on the wing has been integral to their game-plan.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
In 2021 he has put up sound numbers, averaging just over 20 disposals per game, 14.5 effective disposals per game and 4.5 tackles per game.
RELATED: All AFL 2021 Statistical Leaders
His outside running could be key for Stuart Dew's side should his services not be required any longer at Arden Street, and his restricted free-agency status means that, similar to Talia, he should be easier to lure up north.
The final man whose name is set to be thrown around a lot this coming trade period is Melbourne big man, Sam Weideman.
Weideman has already been linked to the Suns in recent times, and would be a great fit for Stuart Dew's side should he move on from the Demons.
After a stunted last few years as well as a troubled off-season with injury, Weideman has recently come back into the Dees team and has put up some solid performances.
However, the fact of the matter is his output hasn't been anything to write home about over his time in the AFL, kicking just the 49 goals in his 48 games as a key forward in Melbourne's setup.
It could be deduced that Melbourne's game-style is one that requires a selfless role from their big men in attack (see: Tom McDonald), so a move away could be what he needs to kickstart his career.
The good thing for the Suns is that he wouldn't cost a fortune and could be a dangerous foil in any forward-line with Ben King. It would be nonsensical of the Suns to not at least make an call to Weideman's agent.