JORDAN Murdoch developed his football prowess during wet, windy winters at Port MacDonnell, came of age as an AFL player with the Geelong Cats and now has the chance to leave a legacy with the Gold Coast Suns.
Murdoch has inked a three-year deal with the Queensland-based Suns, two weeks after he was delisted by Geelong following seven seasons at the Cattery, a move which blindsided the 26-year-old.
While it is understood St Kilda showed strong interest in acquiring the 108-gamer – known for his devastating pace – an impressive presentation from the Suns, led by coach Stuart Dew, secured Murdoch’s signature.
He and wife Emma are currently in the process of relocating from Geelong to the Gold Coast where he is due to start pre-season training later this month.
Gold Coast list and strategy general manager Craig Cameron said the club was excited about what Murdoch would bring to the Suns.
“Jordan provides us with elite speed and foot skills, to add balance to our midfield,” Cameron said.
“He is a man of great character, has experience in a strong program at Geelong and will help to drive the professional standards here at the club.
“We have begun this off-season implementing a long-term strategy for this football club to ensure we have good balance across our entire list.”
Murdoch will likely debut for the Suns in what will seemingly be the club’s most challenging season since its inception in 2011 – the year Murdoch was originally drafted by the Cats at pick 45 –
following the loss of co-captains Tom Lynch and Steven May, plus talented ball-winners Jarryd Lyons and Aaron Hall.
Player turnover means Murdoch will be among the most experienced footballers on the Suns’ list, giving him the chance to help shape a new culture for the expansion club which is yet to play in an AFL finals series.
The move to Metricon Stadium will put Murdoch in close proximity to his brother Brodie, a former St Kilda defender who played 22 games at the elite level after being selected at pick 40 in the 2012 draft.
Delisted by the Saints in 2016, Brodie was part of Port Melbourne’s 2017 Victorian Football League premiership side which defeated Richmond, before joining the Southport Sharks for the 2018
North East Australian Football League season – the same competition which features the Suns’ reserves side.
After finishing ninth out of 10 teams in 2017, the Sharks completed their transformation from cellar dweller to premiers with a 55-point win over Sydney in September’s grand final which was marred by a 19th man controversy.
Holding down full back, Brodie lined up near Robe Football Club export Jordan Dawson, who kicked three goals as a half-forward in the Swans’ 35-90 loss.
The season finale was thrown into disarray when a head count was called by Sydney 20 seconds into the final quarter, revealing Southport had 19 players on the field.
With the final minutes still unfolding on the ground, NEAFL officials – in consultation with both clubs – determined the breach had no material impact on the outcome of the game and declared the final score would stand.
Dawson remains contracted to the Swans for the 2019 season – having played five games since his 2017 debut – while former Tantanoola forward Toby Pink will remain on Sydney’s rookie list next year.
Former North Gambier footballer Matthew Allen recently signed a one-year extension with reigning premiers West Coast for season 2019, while ex-West Gambier premiership ruckman Tim
O’Brien and Millicent export Mason Redman will play out the final year of their existing contracts at Hawthorn and Essendon respectively.
Lucindale talent Darcy Fogarty – taken by Adelaide at pick 12 in the 2017 national draft – signed a contract extension with the Crows in June this year that will keep him at the club until the end of 2021.
