SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 04: Jeremy Sharp of the Suns looks upfield during the First VFL Semifinal match between the Sydney Swans and the Gold Coast Suns at Blacktown International Sportspark on September 04, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
After emerging as an in-demand trade target for Western Australian clubs last year, Gold Coast flanker Jeremy Sharp is facing an uncertain future midway through the 2023 trade period.
Sharp is unsigned for next year after a season where he couldn't break into the AFL side, instead playing a role in the club's VFL premiership journey.
The East Fremantle product appeared in a dozen games under Stuart Dew in 2022, more than doubling his career tally from his first two seasons with the Suns.
At the end of last year when Sharp's value was potentially at its highest, the Dockers and Eagles were both linked to the 21-year-old. Fremantle was seen as the front-runner, only for a deal to fall short as the Cockburn club needed to work through several other prioritised moves in what was a busy off-season for personnel boss David Walls.
And while the Dockers will bid farewell to outside runner Liam Henry and small forward Lachie Schultz over the next week, they're unlikely to rekindle their interest in Sharp despite his contract coming to an end this season.
"Nah, we have done a lot of work with Jeremy in the past, but with the way the list moves we won't be trading for him this year," Walls said.
Sharp could be an option as a delisted free agent if his time at Carrara isn't extended into a fifth term, with the Suns likely looking to add to their list of off-season exits beyond this year's trade space.
Gold Coast currently holds 10 picks for this year's draft - ranging between Pick 23 and 73 - as they prepare to match rival bids on up to four Suns Academy players in next month's National Draft.
Clubs are required to have a certain number of list spots open ahead of the draft depending on the tally of selections they carry into the count. With the confirmed exits of Chris Burgess (Adelaide), Jed Anderson (delisted), Connor Blakely (retired), Charlie Constable (retired) and Brodie McLaughlin (delisted), they've already opened up five spots on their list.
With a total of 10 selections at their disposal, Gold Coast may be required to open up as many as three more list spots, two of which could be done through the trade period with Mabior Chol and Elijah Hollands of interest to Hawthorn and Carlton respectively.
Sharp is among the current crop of Suns players yet to earn a deal for 2024 and could be shown the door if, or when, further list changes are needed. And after failing to secure a trade back home last year, he could be left on the outer altogether in 2023.
West Coast's interest wasn't as strong as their rivals' 12 months ago, and list manager Rohan O'Brien has flagged a move for Sharp is "unlikely at this stage" despite the Eagles' need to add players with upside who would be happy to pull on the royal blue and gold.
O'Brien said the club is hopeful of luring young talent to the club if the right names emerge after recently losing out in their pursuit of WA Lion Deven Robertson.
"Potentially. We'll consider it if there are options," O'Brien said on Monday when asked if the club's focus is to bring in youthful players.
"Dev was someone we targeted from a fair way out. We knew the quality of the person and the quality of the player. We think he'll really grow as a player over the next few years.
"We were disappointed, but understand his position, having just played in a grand final. The appetite is probably there to try and go one better."
Sharp's versatility is arguably his most appealing trait, with the Suns' utility able to play an outside role across all three lines of the field. Also offering an ability to break lines through his speed and ball movement, the young Sun could be of interest to West Coast or Fremantle as a rookie option at the draft or through the Supplemental Selection Period.
With the Dockers set to lose Henry and Schultz this off-season, and the Eagles moving on nine players through delistings or retirement, there is room back home for Sharp, but the interest remains to be seen.