THE GOLD Coast finally has its man - Sturt superstar Michael Coad.
Not many SANFL players begin their AFL journey at 26 but Coad was afforded this opportunity when snapped up at pick No. 2 in yesterday's rookie draft.
"It's exciting. I'm a bit nervous," Coad said less than an hour after watching the lottery unfold on the internet.
"I feel like a little kid again really, I don't really know what to feel because it hasn't really sunk in yet, I don't think."
With the AFL's 17th club opting to select mature-age talent - it also took ex-Kangaroo Daniel Harris, former Collingwood pair Sam Iles and Danny
Stanley and Norwood's Roland AhChee - Coad was always going to be on the radar.
But even after being flown up for two training sessions over a four-day stay on Australia's sunset strip, Coad was never full of confidence the GCFC would come calling.
"No, not really," said Coad, the Double Blues' best finals performer in the past two years.
"I thought they were keen but you never really know with these things."
With his ultra-versatile 192cm, 88kg frame, Coad will spearhead the Gold Coast's entry into the VFL next year and the AFL in 2011. He can expect to be used in almost every position on the ground as Coasters' coach Guy McKenna tests out his legion of talented 17-year-olds claimed this year.
If you ask the boy from Tumby Bay, it is an ideal fit given he can play anywhere but ruck and even then, would still be competitive.
"I do that at Sturt at the moment so it won't be too much of a change," Coad said of mentoring young teammates.
"I suppose I will be one of the oldest blokes at the club, so I'm sure I'll adapt to it. Hopefully I can keep playing good consistent footy."
If Coad can achieve his goal in 2010, then mixing it at AFL level in red and yellow - at age 27 in 2011 - becomes a distinct reality.
"I'd say if I kept my form up from what I've done in the past couple of years I will be in the mix," Coad said.
"I seem to get put everywhere (on the ground), as a kid I used to be a forward and then I got thrown down back. It (versatility) has just come from coaches sticking me wherever they want."
It's hard to find any negatives in moving to the sun and surf in one of Australia's fastest-growing areas. But Coad - who will move up with girlfriend Megan Wilson - must leave his beloved Double Blues after playing in last year's grand final.
"It's a bit shattering to have to leave the boys but I'm sure they'll all still be there when I come back," Coad said.
"I never thought I would leave the club but then this came up so I had to grab that. But I love the club and love the boys."
Coad was one of eight SANFL-based players to be selected in yesterday's rookie draft. Norwood forward Matthew Panos - a shock absentee from the national draft call - was forced to wait nervously until the Western Bulldogs picked him at No. 48, while West's Nicholas Westhoff - cousin of Power brothers Justin and Matthew - was taken by Richmond at No. 51.
Courtesy of Zac Milbank, Adelaide Advertiser
