GOLD Coast foundation player Brandon Matera looks set to seek a fresh start in 2018.

The 25-year-old heads the list of out-of-contract Suns who might be seeking a new home next season, having marked time in the past three years under former coach Rodney Eade.

The Suns are understood to be comfortable for Matera to explore his options.

Matera made a blazing start to 2017, kicking six goals in round three in what was his first AFL game for the year, and earned praise for his effort to get back to top form.

By round 13, he had kicked 22 goals in 10 games and cemented a spot inside the forward 50.

However, the forward missed four weeks with a foot injury before making a successful return to the NEAFL last Saturday, where he kicked one goal in the Suns' seven-point win.

With the Suns' review of the football department already leading to Eade's departure after three seasons, more significant change is expected at a club that is yet to play a final since joining the competition in 2011.

Although the list has come in for criticism, the Suns have a strong spine and have locked in many of the young players who arrived as first-round draft picks in recent seasons.

Gold Coast re-signed key defender Steven May recently and Tom Lynch remains contracted for next season. The Suns still harbour hope that contracted superstar Gary Ablett will play on in 2018 with the club.

Having kicked 124 goals in 101 games, and topped 20 goals in three of his past four seasons, Matera is potentially one of the more dangerous small forwards out of contract at this stage of the season.

Richmond has shown this season how important small forwards who put on tackling pressure can be to a team's game style.

Matera is understood to be open to a move to Victoria, while there have also been reports linking the West Australian with Fremantle.

The Suns will begin a process to appoint a new coach soon with Carlton assistant John Barker and Sydney Swans' Stuart Dew among the leading candidates.