STUART Dew is not concerned that Jack Lukosius and Ben King are yet to extend their contracts, despite the external "obsession" with player movement.
With Jack Martin the most recent – and to date only – Sun to request a trade, attention will quickly centre on Gold Coast's two top-10 draft picks from last year.
There is that obsession as to how quickly (players re-sign), but I think we see at other clubs, some go really quickly, even before the season starts, others might go after their first year - Stuart Dew
The thing is, Dew says, these players still have 12 months to run on their current deals.
Izak Rankine - taken one spot after Lukosius at No.3 and three places ahead of King - has already re-committed to the Suns until the end of 2022.
Ben King takes a big pack mark against the Bombers. Picture: AFL Photos
Dew told AFL.com.au the key-position players had made a big impression in their first year.
"We'd love them to stay," he said.
"We understand they'll have a decision to make at some point, but they do have 12 months to run on their contract.
"There is that obsession as to how quickly, but I think we see at other clubs, some go really quickly, even before the season starts, others might go after their first year.
"They'll sit back, review how they've felt, how they fit in, talk to their manager and family and make a decision at some point.
Jack Lukosius played one of his best games in the backline against the Swans. Picture: AFL Photos
"If they were out of contract this year, we'd be a little more worried, but they're still here next year and we're confident we're giving them what they need.
Lukosius played 21 games, starting as a forward but eventually finding his feet as a third tall defender late in the year, where his exquisite kicking skills could be used more regularly.
King, whose lean 204cm frame needed some more work before he debuted, played 14 games, kicking 17 goals and earning himself a Rising Star nomination.
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Of all the problems Gold Coast have had over the past five years with retaining high-end talent, not one top-10 pick has left without re-signing at least one contract.
Jack Scrimshaw – who had already signed-on for a further two years to his initial deal – was traded to Hawthorn last off-season.
"We understand that, that's the industry these days, everyone is obsessed with player movement, obsessed," Dew said.
"In-house we just work out what we can control, as boring as that sounds.
"I saw two lads that came into the club and went about it the right way.
"They haven't missed a beat physically and a lot of that is to do with their professionalism and preparation and their attitude to improving."
