Newly re-signed Gold Coast star Touk Miller has described Hugh Greenwood's shock departure as a "fair hit" but is expecting the Suns to break their AFL finals duck next year.
Miller, who is tipped to become the Suns' next captain, gave the club a badly-needed boost on Tuesday by signing a new deal to keep him on the Gold Coast until the end of 2027.
It came a day after experienced midfielder Greenwood's bombshell move to North Melbourne blindsided the Suns.
The Kangaroos enticed the delisted Greenwood, who was set to be re-drafted back to the Suns, with a lucrative and longer contract.
Miller holds no grudges against Greenwood for accepting North's offer but said the tackling machine would be missed at Metricon Stadium.
"The offer (Greenwood) got from North Melbourne was obviously really strong and hard to let go," Miller told SEN.
"He's got a young family and wants to support them for as long as he can.
"(Greenwood's) another senior player we won't have and someone who can play really consistent football so it was a fair hit to the list.
"I think for him the opportunity he's got going forward is going to be massive.
"It is a major loss but I feel like in the footy world these types of things can happen fairly regularly now."
When asked if the Suns expect to play finals next year, Miller was adamant they do.
Since entering the AFL in 2011, Gold Coast's best season remains the 2014 campaign when they finished 12th with 10 wins.
"We need to get that finals berth and I think that's going to be a really big step for the club," Miller said.
The 25-year-old is coming off his best season yet after taking out Gold Coast's best-and-fairest award and being selected as All-Australian for the first time.
