32-year-old recent AFL retiree Hugh Greenwood will return to the footy landscape in season 2025, re-joining his old mob on the Gold Coast as a development coach.
The former Sun spent two seasons of his 121 game career at the club, before a shock move to North Melbourne in 2022, having been temporarily cut from Gold Coast's list.
He joined the AFL as a mature-aged professional basketballer being drafted to the Adelaide Crows as a 26-year-old in 2016, and developed into one of the most prolific tackling midfielders in the competition, especially in his time with the Suns.
He opted to retire at the conclusion of North Melbourne's 2024 season, helping bring up the young core of shinboners coming through; Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw, Colby McKercher and others.
Back on the Gold Coast, he will work alongside Sydney premiership hero Nick Malceski and former star Crow Richard Douglas in the player development department.
Welcome back Hugh ๐https://t.co/8fX0k4uQg8
— Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) September 13, 2024
โI'm humbled and excited to be back at a footy club that I've already been so invested in and what a time it is to be involved with the club,โ Greenwood said.
โMy goals and vision haven't really changed to what it was when I joined the club in 2020. It's about helping guide and nurture this young and talented playing group, just with a different hat on now as development coach.
โIt's a great chance to work with great people at a great club. It's an opportunity for me that's been 10-15 years in the making.โ
Gold Coast General Manager of Football Performance Wayne Campbell spoke about the club's excitement in welcoming back a former Sun with vast experience in professional sport.
โHugh brings a wealth of experience as an athlete from successful careers in both football and basketball at numerous organisations across not only Australia, but globally,โ Campbell said.
โHis drive, desire to be successful and ability to nurture others was admired during his playing career and it's something we believe will be extremely valuable to our club.โ
โWe look forward to welcoming Hugh, Kjiersten, Titus and Tahj to the club.โ
