Gold Coast defender Sam Collins has inked a new contract with the club, extending his services until the end of 2028.
Due to be eligible for free agency this year, Collins has knocked back the chance to test the open market in favour of remaining ar Cararra on a new three-year deal.
Collins, a two-time best and fairest for the Suns, has been an integral part of the club's rearguard since earning an AFL lifeline in 2018, with the 30-year-old keen to help steer the AFL's second youngest club to its first finals showing and beyond.
"It's super exciting to be here for the long term and I'm really looking forward to continuing to contribute on and off the field,โ Collins said in a club statement.
"I'm very privileged to be able to sign a contract extension so it's great for me and my family to be able to commit to the Gold Coast SUNS and commit to building a life up here. I'm forever grateful for the opportunity I have to play AFL football.
"Finals and a premiership is what success looks like for me. I wouldn't have signed with the club for another three years if I didn't believe that was possible and I'll be giving everything I can to get that done in the near future.
"For me it's a really exciting opportunity to bring success to this club and I want that ASAP."
Collins has played 127 career games in the AFL, 113 of which have come with Gold Coast after starting his career with Fremantle.
The big-bodied backman spent a year with Werribee after being delisted by the Dockers at the end of 2017, with his best and fairest-winning year in the VFL earning him the interest from Gold Coast.
Collins has since been a staple for the Suns, earning his first Club Champion gong in 2020 before doubling his award tally with a second best and fairest last year.
โSam has shown incredible resilience and determination in his football journey to become one of the best defenders in the AFL competition,โ Suns talent lead Craig Cameron said.
โHe has established himself as one of our most important players on and off the field as our vice-captain, and we look forward to seeing Sam continue to provide valuable leadership and experience to our club in the coming years.โ
Collins will continue his role as vice-captain of the club in 2025, now supporting newly-appointed skipper Noah Anderson in his first year in charge.
