All-Australian half-back flanker and 2012 premiership star Nick Malceski has signed for the Gold Coast Suns, ending his ten-year stint as a Sydney Swan.
He will partner the likes of Rising Star nominee Kade Kolodjashnij in defence as the Suns enter their fifth AFL season in 2015.
Malceski, who led the competition for kicks in 2014, officially joined the Suns as an unrestricted free agent in a three-year deal announced late Monday afternoon.
In his first interview as a Sun, the 30-year-old highlighted the opportunity to take a senior leadership role as too good to pass up at this stage of his career.
“At Sydney I was surrounded by a depth of great leaders and at the Suns it is all new and young. I am looking forward to helping them build a sustainable and successful team,” Malceski said on the club’s website.
List and strategy manager for the Suns Scott Clayton considers this a major coup that will provide a boost finals aspirations.
“Nick’s signing delivers us with a player who is at the top of his game, who we believe will make a major contribution over the next three years,” Clayton said on the club’s website.
A key to the Swans’ grand final success in 2012, kicking vital goals to open and close the game, Malceski also played in the losing sides of 2006 and 2014. He was one of few positives from the Swans’ grand final decimation at the hands of the Hawks, who today confirmed the recruitment of departing Demon James Frawley.
Both the Frawley and Malceski moves were made possible through free agency.
Swans captain Jarrad McVeigh is expected to fill the void left by Malceski’s departure by returning to the position that earned him an All-Australian nod in 2013. This move will free up a midfield position with Tom Mitchell’s name on it.
The announcement comes a day after opportunity-starved forward Tim Membrey requested a trade to St Kilda after just one game in red and white this year.
Malceski finished sixth in this year’s Bob Skilton Medal for the Swans’ best and fairest player, with Luke Parker taking top spot, and polled 15 votes in the Brownlow Medal.
His signing comes at the end of a dismal period for the Suns. An injury to captain Gary Ablett arguably cost the club its first finals berth, and the search to replace sacked head coach Guy McKenna continues.
Nick Malceski was selected with pick 64 in the 2002 draft by the Swans, playing 176 games and kicking 67 goals since his debut in 2005.
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