Gold Coast shock fans by cutting 'best player of 2018'
Gold Coast Suns have made the staggering decision to delist their best player of 2018.
On Wednesday, the club announced that Jarryd Lyons has been cut despite having one year remaining on his contract.
A club statement said Lyons and the club had “mutually agreed” to part ways.
“We added real depth to our midfield during the trade period and as a result Jarryd understands that his opportunities would be increasingly limited due to the additions of these players and our desire to play and develop the young midfield talent already on our list,” Suns list manager Craig Cameron said.
“With that being the case, the club and Jarryd have had a mature discussion and agree that another club may offer him greater opportunity to play in the midfield in the future.
“We thank Jarryd for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best as he continues his AFL career.”
The decision is baffling considering Lyons was the Suns’ No.1 ranked player in 2018 according to the Official AFL Player Ratings.
He averaged 24.5 disposals from 19 games — ranked first at the club.
He was also the Suns’ top-ranked player in clearances and contested possessions.
Fans and commentators couldn’t believe the news.
Do the @GoldCoastSUNS realise Jarryd Lyons is one of their BEST players?! Strewth. Incredible de-listing.
— Tim Yeatman (@TimYeatman) October 31, 2018
Jarryd Lyons' averages at Gold Coast in 2018:
#1 for clearances
#1 for contested possessions
#1 for ground ball gets
#2 for effective disposals
#2 for inside 50s
#2 for score launches
#3 for metres gained
#3 for tackles
#6 for shots on goal— Ethan (@ethan_meldrum) October 31, 2018
Surely someone picks up Jarryd Lyons on #afldraftday…
NEWSFLASH: he'd be perfect for @GoldCoastSUNS…#AFLDraft #AFLPSD
— n 1 c k (@nicksplitter) October 31, 2018
Jarryd Lyons could walk through the doors of about eight clubs and into their best 22. He will be playing AFL in 2019.
— Damo (@Damokdp) October 31, 2018
Jarryd Lyons played 37 of 44 games in last 2 years. And averaged 25 disposals a game during that time. Can someone in the know explain why an inexperienced poor team would delist him?
— Darren Parkin (@Darren_Parkin) October 31, 2018
Jarryd Lyons delisted? Surely there must be some internal problems between him and the @GoldCoastSUNS? IMO he is in there top 5 best players
— Corey Baker (@coreybakerr) October 31, 2018
Jarryd Lyons delisted??? What?
— Nic Negrepontis (@NicNegrepontis) October 31, 2018
Jarryd Lyons played 19 games and averaged 24.5 disposals for Gold Coast this year – and has now been delisted. Was ranked #1 for average disposals, #1 for clearances, #2 for inside 50s and #1 for contested possessions. 🤔🤔🤔 https://t.co/Sd70AvYhaw
— Matt Balmer (@MattBalmer7) October 31, 2018
Staggering that Jarryd Lyons was delisted. At Gold Coast in 2017 he was No.1 for cont.poss, No.2 for clear, No.3 for disp, No.3 for tackles and No.4 for in50s. And in 2018 was No.1 for clear, No.1 for cont.poss, No.2 for ave.disp, No.3 for tackles, No.3 for in50s.
— Ronny Lerner (@RonnyLerner) October 31, 2018