The Gold Coast SUNS have completed a successful exchange period, ending the week drafting Jaeger O’Meara, in the 2011 Mini-Draft conducted following the completion of the Exchange Period.

The GC SUNS also gained the services of mature age Melbourne defender Matthew Warnock, signed Queenslander Jackson Allen as zone selection and improved its draft selections in November’s NAB AFL Draft.

“We are really pleased with the outcome of the exchange period.” GC SUNS General Manager Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft said.

“Entering the week we wanted to improve our playing list and we believe we have well and truly achieved that.”

The GC SUNS also enhanced the Club position at the 2011 Draft.

“We managed to move some selections around, allowing us to move up in draft order, acquiring an improved pick.”

The GC SUNS will go to the NAB AFL Draft in November with one selection, pick 24.

Ashcroft also confirmed that the GC SUNS entered into mediation with the Essendon Football Club in relation to securing an exchange for Josh Caddy.

Ashcroft said Caddy approached the club at the end of the season and requested a move back to Victoria to be closer to his family.

“At the direction of Josh's manager, the club was advised to negotiate with Essendon exclusively. Our inability to deal with each of the Victorian clubs made it difficult for us to assist Josh in his request.”

“With a year still to run on his contract, Josh and his family understood that the club could only achieve their desired outcome if a reasonable offer was made.”

“The club did not receive an offer that we deemed reasonable and therefore were not in a position to facilitate an exchange.”

Caddy will commence pre-season with the GC SUNS later this month.