Veteran Suns forward Sam Day is set to extend his stay on the Gold Coast for a 14th season, all despite the fact the 31-year-old will soon be delisted by the expansion club.
As reported by AFL Media, the South Australian is set to be chopped from Damien Hardwick's senior roster, however, Day will be retained on the rookie list for the 2024 season.
In a ploy that will be mirrored by each of the Crows, Giants, Demons and Bulldogs to keep James Borlase, Adam Kennedy, Jake Melksham, Taylor Duryea and Lachlan McNeil on their respective rosters, the Suns will officially bring Day back at next month's rookie draft, set to be held on November 22.
The choice to keep Day on the club's books was made after the Suns bid farewell to Chris Burgess (Adelaide), Mabior Chol (Hawthorn) and Brodie McLaughlin (delisted) over the course of the off-season.
The VFL premiership winner will continue to play a leading in hand in overseeing the development of not only Ben King and Jack Lukosius but also incoming Academy prospect, Jed Walter.
Day began life with Gold Coast after being brought to the Sunshine State with Pick 3 of the 2010 AFL Draft, meaning the Sturt product will enter next season as the only inaugural Sun still at the club.
Since debuting during Round 7 of the 2011 season, Day has gone on to make a further 149 senior appearances, seeing him make the fifth most appearances in Suns history, trailing only David Swallow (220), Jarrod Harbrow (192), Touk Miller (173) and Alex Sexton (166).
Gold Coast is set to take picks 24, 26, 27, 32, 36, 38, 66, 71, 74 and 84 to November's national draft.
