JARRYD Lyons could easily have been warming up in the Carlton rooms at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Former Crow Lyons was the centre of much speculation during last year's NAB Trade Period, with his name linked to Carlton as Adelaide sought to lure Blues star Bryce Gibbs.

Once the Blues knocked back the offer, Lyons whittled away his suitors and landed with the Suns.

Gold Coast was desperate for some mature midfielders to replace Dion Prestia and Jaeger O'Meara who requested trades to Richmond and Hawthorn respectively.

Lyons fitted the bill perfectly.

He was 24, had played 55 games – 20 of which, including two finals, were last season – and was in the same age bracket of many of the key Suns.

After sustaining an Achilles niggle in the intraclub match in February, he took time to make his way back through the pre-season matches before earning selection in round one.

He's mixed time between half-forward and the midfield, with coach Rodney Eade saying Lyons was a player, like many, that needed continuity to succeed.

Last week against Hawthorn was easily his best game at the Suns, finishing with 30 disposals and an equal team high 10 clearances.

"That continuity of games, he's going to bring another hardened body in tight," Eade said.

"He's very clean, he's tough in tight. He's a smart player.

"That experience again helps us."

There's a chance Lyons and Gibbs will spend time head-to-head in the middle of Etihad Stadium, and there's one thing for sure – the Suns are glad the former Crow will be preparing in their rooms and not the Blues'.