The most turbulent and forensically examined trade period in history has finally come to a halt, and with its closure, Gold Coast List and Strategy manager, Scott Clayton, opines the SUNS have significantly strengthened their future position at the draft table, as well as replacing some precise desires.

The departures of Charlie Dixon, Harley Bennell and Zac Smith were always going to be difficult to replace, but with the inclusions of Matt Rosa and Daniel Currie meeting specific needs, along with the collection of a bevy of picks, Gold Coast departed Etihad Stadium on Thursday in a comfortable position.

“It has been a really busy period. Clearly we had some objectives that we set out to do,” Clayton told SUNS TV following the conclusion of the Trade Period on Thursday afternoon.

“It was a combination of replacing some games and some experienced players, along with obviously this draft pool, but also now with future picks setting up our future in regard to 2016.

“I think we have absolutely strengthened our position. We’ve had immediacy in mind, as well as short to medium term, which you’ve always got to have. So, in a difficult year, I think we’re well positioned going forward.”

Gold Coast was arguably the competitions biggest beneficiary of the AFL’s decision to include the trading of future picks in this years exchange period. With high end talent departing, Clayton explained how the SUNS were able to utilise the new rule change to their advantage in order to stockpile picks across the next two years.

“Its certainly a great advantage that the rule change came in, just with the currency that we had that was going out it was quite important that we had the opportunity to spread it over more than one year,” Clayton said.

“It would have been very difficult to do if we hadn’t been able to put some of those resources into 2016.”

Along with West Coast’s Rosa and North Melbourne’s Currie, the SUNS acquired selections six, 16, 29 and 56, along with 2016 future round one selection (from Melbourne), and three future round two selections (from Fremantle, Port Adelaide and Richmond).