Forward Lloyd Johnston has extended his contract at the Suns by signing a new two-year deal to remain at the club till at least 2026.
The 19-year-old was a prodigy at the Northern Territory SUNS Academy and was recruited in 2022 through the AFL Rookie Draft. Traditionally a defender, but in 2024 under new coach Damien Hardwick Johnston has been shifted to a new role as a pressure forward.
The youngster has played five AFL games since debuting in Round 23 last season, including three this year. Johnston is known for his athletic makeup with his speed and agility.
The young forward had an impressive year last year in the VFL, ending as a premiership VFL player and again has had another strong year in both the VFL and his three AFL matches.
The youngster emphasised his excitement to remain at the Suns to continue his AFL journey.
โI love this club and love coming to work every day with my closest mates,โ Johnston said in a club statement.
โTo be able to represent the club and my community in the AFL is an opportunity I won't take for granted, and I want to do everything I can to become the best AFL player I can be to help the club win games of football.
โI can't wait to keep wearing the Gold Coast SUNS jumper for another two years and making my family proud whenever I walk onto the field.โ
GC SUNS National Recruiting Manager Kall Burns said the 19-year-old has come a long way since arriving at the club.
โLloyd came to us in 2022 as a raw prospect but with a lot of talent,โ Burns said.
โWhat's been most pleasing is seeing his commitment to bettering himself as a player, culminating in him earning an opportunity at AFL level late last year.
โThe improvement we've seen over these two years has been substantial and we look forward to watching that continue in the coming years.โ
Johnston resides from a small town known as Borroloola about 1000km south-east of Darwin.
