Gold Coast dozen nearly complete

THE GOLD Coast's final intake of eligible 17-year-olds includes five Victorian players that will have the chance to represent the new franchise in the VFL next year.

Jack Hutchins (Sandringham), Tom Nicholls (Sandringham), Taylor Hine (Calder) and Piers Flanagan (Geelong) have joined the club's squad and will head to Queensland this week to commence training.

The final 17-year-old spot has been offered to Murray Bushranger Alex Keath, who is currently tossing up whether to choose football or cricket as his primary sport.

As part of its drafting concessions, the Gold Coast is allowed to recruit 12 17-year-olds from around the country who were born in 1992 between January and April.

The new five signings join the dozen who have already signed up with the new club: Maverick Weller (Burnie Dockers), Luke Russell (Burnie Dockers), Matt Shaw (Dandenong Stingrays), Trent McKenzie (Western Jets), Joshua Toy (Calder Cannons), Hayden Jolly (Glenelg) and Brandon Matera (South Fremantle).
 
Club football manager Marcus Ashcroft was pleased to recruit such a talented crop of players and said he was looking forward to them completing a full pre-season ahead of the 2010 VFL calendar.
"We're delighted with the quality of the group and the character of these young men," he said.

"They are a credit to their families and the clubs they have come from. We are building an exceptional list of quality young men."

The 12 young guns make up half of the list of players the Gold Coast has so far recruited to its Queensland base.

Among the new representatives are Charlie Dixon, Jesse Haberfield, Jack Stanlake, Zac Smith, Jack Stanley, Nicky Price, Joseph Daye, Rory Thompson, Michael Gugliotta, Alik Magin, Marc Lock and Karmichael Hunt.

Hunt, 23, has been the club's most prominent signing after agreeing to cross from the NRL.

The former Brisbane Bronco is currently living in France where he will play rugby union for Biarritz before returning to Australia in May next year.

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna recently said Hunt may play just two VFL games next year as he recovered from consecutive seasons of league and union.

However, Hunt told the Gold Coast Bulletin he had no doubt he would be ready to commence his Australian Rules career upon his return to the country.

"I've got just under a year to get ready ... I think that's plenty of time," he said.

"They [the GCFC coaches] have left me to my own devices here in France.

"I guess they have got respect for me as a professional and know I'll use my time over here wisely in both training for rugby and practicing with the Sherrin."