Welcome to the SUNS - Pick 28 Avery Thomas

[SUNS]

Avery Thomas

More info to follow. Maybe

 

[DTLSchulzy16]

 

[Iva Bigun]

Well, where the hell did that come from????

 

[GC2015]

No relation to Tarryn Thomas

26

Tarryn Thomas

Age

25

Ht

190cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.0

3star

K

5.3

2star

HB

5.7

4star

M

2.1

2star

T

3.3

5star

CL

0.9

3star

D

7.8

2star

K

4.0

1star

HB

3.8

3star

M

1.3

1star

T

3.2

4star

CL

0.2

2star

D

12.8

4star

K

6.2

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

3.8

5star

CL

0.4

3star

, if anyone is wondering. Avery's late father is of West Indian descent (Dominica).

What do we think the plans are for Avery? Surely we don't plan on playing him as a running defender. We have plenty of those! Perhaps we try to turn him into a small/medium forward?

 

[DTLSchulzy16]

No relation to Tarryn Thomas, if anyone is wondering. Avery's late father is of West Indian descent (Dominica).

What do we think the plans are for Avery? Surely we don't plan on playing him as a running defender. We have plenty of those! Perhaps we try to turn him into a small/medium forward?

Intercept hybrid/lockdown. Can take the Sean Lemmens vfl spot. While learning from Powelly

 

[GC2015]

Intercept hybrid/lockdown. Can take the Sean Lemmens vfl spot. While learning from Powelly

Would Isaac Quaynor be a good comparison to Avery's playing style?

 

[Young_Guns]

Looks like he has all the tools to be a gun, and mid-sized intercept defenders with speed and skill are all the rage.

Might also just be a potential bargaining chip for Tassie’s entrance?

 

[kreglze]

Replaces Budarick and Lemmens types that have moved on.

Looks to have some serious tools, good on the lad.

 

[MarcLocksCrustySock]

Do rate.

 

[RowellAnderson12]

He looks good on the tapes, perfect addition

 

[RowellAnderson12]

 

[KaySwizzle]

Seems to be a neat kick of the footy at least. A bit of speed, doesn’t mind a tackle. Might come good in the Hardwick system and has some very capable defenders to coach him through his rookie years.

 

[Big Red Machine]

Nice to see us pick up the slack and take in some talent from developing footy states

 

[Jen2310]

 

[Jirik13]

Tasmanian defender Avery Thomas reveals Gold Coast Suns backline plans​

As he prepares for the first steps in his AFL career, Tasmanian and new Gold Coast Sun Avery Thomas has revealed the teammate he’s looking forward to playing with and why he’s excited to live with coach Damien Hardwick

Tasmanian football’s rising star Avery Thomas sees himself as a rebound weapon for Gold Coast and wants to join forces with superstar defender Mac Andrew in the Suns back half.
Thomas, 18, of Launceston, was snapped up by the Suns at pick 28 in the AFL Draft on Thursday night and starts his new life on the Gold Coast from Saturday when he packs his bags for Queensland.

Thomas’ phone has run hot with wellwishers since he was drafted.

“It’s unreal – I’m still in disbelief and shocked about it,” Thomas said.

The teen machine only knows one person at the club.

“I met Mac Andrew through a multicultural event, so I know Mac,” he said.

“He’ll be a super-cool dude to learn from, and someone I can look up to and work off.”

Like every other recruit, Thomas is aiming for an AFL debut in 2026.

“I feel like I can slot into their backline and play off half-back, or I can switch between half-back and being a key backman in their backline,” he said.
--
Thomas hasn’t met Damien Hardwick but he will be living with the Gold Coast coach.

“I’ll meet ‘Dimma’ on Saturday, and I’m living with him up there – that’s so cool,” Thomas said.

“It will be great to make a connection with the coach straight off the bat.”

After meetings with their recruiting team several times, Thomas knew the Suns were hot for him but he had no idea they would call his name.

Clubs like Richmond, Carlton and Sydney had also shown strong interest in the under-18 Devils’ defensive ace.

“I knew the Suns were super-keen on me but they weren’t sure if they would get the pick for me,” he said.

“Luckily there were able to trade up, I was still on the board, and that’s how it happened.”

Suns recruiting manager Kall Burns said Thomas had impressed with his speed and agility.

“Avery is an incredibly versatile player with an impressive combination of traits and skills that we believe will add great value to our squad,” Burns said.

“We believe he complements our other trade and draft acquisitions.

“We’re thrilled for him to earn this opportunity with our club and excited to see him develop and grow under Damien Hardwick.”

No Cookies | CODE Sports

No Cookies | CODE Sports

www.codesports.com.au

 

[Sun Stormer]

RIOLI sneaky move to forward pocket...problem solved.

 

[Jirik13]

RIOLI sneaky move to forward pocket...problem solved.

Yeah, Avery expects to slot straight in defence next to Mac, haha.

 

[Sun Stormer]

Yeah, Avery expects to slot straight in defence next to Mac, haha.

I'd say Jeffery with Avery pushing hard for a spot. Ballard to come back in as well. Noble, Collins, Andrew, Uwland down back. Toss in Dylan Patterson somewhere and a few I've probably forgotten.

 

[GC2015]

RIOLI sneaky move to forward pocket...problem solved.

I think it's time. We've got plenty of high quality running halfbacks on the list now with Noble, ZUwland, Patterson etc. Throw Dan forward and let him dominate in the forward line with his cousin Longy.

 

[KaySwizzle]

I think it's time. We've got plenty of high quality running halfbacks on the list now with Noble, ZUwland, Patterson etc. Throw Dan forward and let him dominate in the forward line with his cousin Longy.

Makes more sense to put Rioli on a wing if we have surplus in defence. Since that is an area we are pretty deficient in and suits his run and gun style.

Maybe him as a fast forward could work. But I wouldn’t be moving him anywhere for another season though. No need to swap a previously AA level defender for a 1st year player. We’re not that team anymore. Let the kids develop and force their way in.

 

[GC2015]

Makes more sense to put Rioli on a wing if we have surplus in defence. Since that is an area we are pretty deficient in and suits his run and gun style.

Maybe him as a fast forward could work. But I wouldn’t be moving him anywhere for another season though. No need to swap a previously AA level defender for a 1st year player. We’re not that team anymore. Let the kids develop and force their way in.

We're in desperate need of a high quality goal kicking small forward and Rioli played that role for many years at Richmond (check out his 2017 premiership year forward line highlights below). I'd rather have a proven small forward like Dan playing there than a guy like Weller who has never really shown anything as a forward and is more suited to the wing.



Anyway. This is probably the wrong thread for this discussion.

 

[Maybe Tomorrow]

I think it's time. We've got plenty of high quality running halfbacks on the list now with Noble, ZUwland, Patterson etc. Throw Dan forward and let him dominate in the forward line with his cousin Longy.

No chance we play Uwland and Patterson at half back over Rioli. In three years maybe.

We recruited him to play half back. Not small forward.

 

[GC2015]

No chance we play Uwland and Patterson at half back over Rioli. In three years maybe.

We recruited him to play half back. Not small forward.

We also recruited Ben Long to play half back. Guess where he's playing now.

You do what's best for the team. If it makes sense to play Noble + Uwland/Patterson at halfback then I reckon we're going to see Rioli moved somewhere else on the ground.

 

[Young_Guns]

Moving Rioli off halfback after what we gave up to get him to lead our ball movement would be crazy. He’s head and shoulders above as our best ball mover and user.

If anyone were to move forward, you’d think it’s Jeffrey? Not a small, but would still be our most dangerous along with Long/Farrar. Hell, even Patterson up there would be incredibly hard to stop.

Doesn’t matter though, cos I thought the Pillar had earmarked himself as that forward? Isn’t that what his manager said?

 

[GC2015]

Moving Rioli off halfback after what we gave up to get him to lead our ball movement would be crazy. He’s head and shoulders above as our best ball mover and user.

If anyone were to move forward, you’d think it’s Jeffrey? Not a small, but would still be our most dangerous along with Long/Farrar. Hell, even Patterson up there would be incredibly hard to stop.

Doesn’t matter though, cos I thought the Pillar had earmarked himself as that forward? Isn’t that what his manager said?

I'm not saying it'll happen straight away. I still suspect Rioli will start the season in the half back position and if Zeke or Dyl start showing good signs, then I wouldn't be surprised if Dimma throws Rioli forward. That's all I'm saying.

You have to be adaptable as an AFL coach e.g. if King gets injured then I reckon there's a fantastic chance that we see Mac thrown forward.

Anyway. this is an Avery Thomas thread. We really shouldn't be discussing this here.