Gold Coast will open up contract talks with Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell in the off-season in a bid to retain him, but football boss Kall Burns refused to use the word "desperate".
The Suns will need to ward off a host of Victorian clubs, with Collingwood, Geelong and Richmond, who were all in the Zak Butters race, looming as potential destinations if he were to explore a move.
Rowell had strong interest from Victorian clubs before he penned a two-year extension, and will revisit his future as he weighs up his decision beyond 2027.
"I wouldn't use the word desperate, but clearly we'd like to keep Matt Rowell at our football club, so we'll pick up those conversations in the off-season," Burns said.
"Matt's committed to our club, certainly for 2027."
Gold Coast is still working through Ben King's free agency call, and whether they'll match Hawthorn's bid to force a trade.
If they opt for the free agency, the Suns will attain Pick 7 but will look to do other deals, which could include one for Hawks' youngster Aidan Schubert.
There's a key forward squeeze at Dingley, and with Calsher Dear re-signing, Schubert, albeit contracted until 2029, has become a player of interest at the Suns.
"Aidan's a player we tracked through his draft year really closely, and obviously continue to follow him this year," Burns said.
"We're interested in a player of that ilk joining our club. Obviously, if Ben were to go as a free agent, we'd like to replace that player.
"The value for Schubert isn't on us to place. That's obviously for Hawthorn to place if they were to trade him. I can only speak to what he does for our list, and it's someone that we've looked at for a number of years.
"We thought he'd be an attractive prospect for us."
Burns also expects key defender Charlie Ballard to stay at the club, while Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is working with the Suns on a new deal.
