Why delisted Sun is certain Gold Coast are primed for success under Hardwick

Delisted Gold Coast midfielder James Tsitas is certain that the Suns are on the verge of some on-field success.

The 29-year-old was cut by the Suns last month following five career AFL games across three seasons at the club and he saw some serious change in People First Stadium in 2024 once coach Damien Hardwick arrived.

While the club has yet to play finals in their 14-year history, Tsitas can see that changing soon with Hardwick at the helm as he expects the three-time premiership coach to turn things around in the Sunshine State.

“The thing with Dimma is that he’s not going to rest on his laurels,” Tsitas told SEN SA The Run Home.

“He’s come in and I can tell you there were some really damning reviews, he was getting stuck into blokes and he doesn’t accept mediocrity.

“I’m super confident in the future of the Suns because Dimma is going to be able to turn it around.

“He wasn’t happy this year and he’s changed things in the trade period. 

“He’ll continue to work and the same as he did at Richmond, he’ll experience success up at the Suns.”

While Tsitas only played a handful of senior games after joining the list as a 2022 SSP addition, he’s grateful that he was even given an opportunity at the top level.

Having joined the club as a 26-year-old, the former Woodville West-Torrens product came to the top level with an exercise science degree and a personal training business.

He hopes to put that knowledge to work in his new role at Gold Coast where he’ll work as a coach and in the club’s strength and conditioning team.

“I’m definitely grateful because as you know, a lot of good state league players don’t get the opportunity at the AFL level,” Tsitas said.

“For me to spend three years, get that experience play your first game, play at places like the Adelaide Oval, SCG and Perth … I’m very lucky.

“I’m just grateful at the moment … we had 40-odd people on our list, I’m pretty sure half the squad wishes they played more games.

“I’m going to stay on at the Suns doing a bit of coaching as a tackling coach and doing some strength and conditioning.

“I’ll play VFL still for the Suns and will be the Under-18s assistant coach.”

Listen to the full chat below.