Bookies back Barker to replace sacked Eade at Gold Coast

RODNEY Eade will not coach the Gold Coast Suns in 2018.

The club announced on Tuesday that both parties had agreed to part ways, effective immediately.

Suns chairman Tony Cochrane cited a lack of tangible improvement as the reason behind Eade’s axing.

“The win-loss ratio is not what we want it to be … not even close,” he said.

Tough morning at the office for Rocket Eade… pic.twitter.com/JSJcg5NPMQ

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) August 8, 2017

The Gold Coast currently sit 15th on the 2017 AFL Premiership ladder with only six wins from 20 rounds.

Despite an abundance of resources, the Suns still rely heavily on an ageing Gary Ablett Jr – their marquee recruit in 2011.

The former Geelong star is tipped to depart in the off-season, which would leave the club with a huge hole to fill.

“We are simply in the same position that we were three years ago,” Cochrane said.

“That is not good enough for us.”

Online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au has installed Carlton assistant coach John Barker as the +100 favourite to replace Eade at Carrara.

How to fix the Suns… pic.twitter.com/Myriws9qzQ

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) August 8, 2017

Brett Ratten is a distant second at +600, despite boasting a wealth of knowledge from his time in charge at the Blues before joining Alastair Clarkson’s staff at Hawthorn.

The only other man in single-digit odds is former Essendon and Fremantle player Dean Solomon (+800), who has stepped in as the Gold Coast’s interim boss.

The market features a number of former AFL head coaches, including Matthew Knights (+1300), Michael Voss (+2000), Brendan McCartney, Matthew Primus and Brenton Sanderson (all +3300).

The only current top-flight gaffers on the list are Collingwood’s Nathan Buckley and North Melbourne’s Brad Scott, who share a +4000 quote with the equally unlikely James Hird.

“By the looks of our market, John Barker can start packing the beach towel and sunscreen because the Blues’ assistant is the clear favourite,” said Sportsbet’s Christian Jantzen.

Next permanent Gold Coast Suns head coach

+100 – John Barker

+600 – Brett Ratten

+800 – Dean Solomon

+1000 – Scott Burns

+1300 – Matthew Knights, Brendon Lade

+1600 – Blake Caracella, Stewart Dew, Adam Kingsley, Simon Lloyd

+2000 – Matthew Egan, Brett Montgomery, Michael Voss

+2500 – Ashley Hansen, Justin Longmuir, Matthew Nicks, Jade Rawlings, David Teague

+3300 – Steven King, Brendan McCartney, Henry Playfair, Matthew Primus, Brenton Sanderson

+4000 – Nathan Buckley, James Hird, Brad Scott, Peter Sumich

Market provided by Sportsbet.com.au

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