Southport Sharks defender Ben Jepson has officially signed with the Gold Coast Suns after a successful bid to join the club through the Supplemental Selection Period.
Jepson was invited to train with the Suns since the early stages of the Carrara club's pre-season, vying with delisted Sun Paul Hewago Oea for a position on the list.
The Suns called time on Hewago Oea's time as a train-on player last week, however, remained open to Jepson and continued his trial at the club.
With strengthened chances to claim the Suns' final list spot, Gold Coast announced on Thursday that they had officially signed the VFL star, who was a key cog to Southport's run to the 2024 grand final, falling short of a premiership by a mere six points to Werribee.
Jepson averaged 25.4 disposals and 6.1 marks off halfback for the Sharks, claiming a position in VFL Team of the Year and earning a Southport best and fairest podium finish, after winning the year prior at former VFL club Coburg.
Welcome to the team, mate ๐ค pic.twitter.com/ZlspeRM9AA
โ Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) January 30, 2025
New teammate and childhood friend Noah Anderson announced the news to Jepson at the close of Gold Coast's Northern Rivers camp in front of the whole Suns squad.
"Someone who's been on a really long journey to get here, had the opportunity to come train with us and I don't think I've seen anyone do it any better," Anderson said.
"The group's fallen in love with you, the coaches have fallen in love with you.
"I'm stoked to announce you've got a contract mate."
The 23-year-old was stunned that he had finally earned the opportunity to live out a childhood dream.
"My great mate Noah Anderson's announced in front of the group that I've got the last list on the team, and I've been training for a few months now, and to finally have that, it's amazing," Jepson said.
"It's everything I wanted to do since I was a kid, playing footy.
"To get an opportunity to play AFL and to the Suns to give me a crack training on at first, it's been amazing.
"It's just been great being a full-time athlete I suppose.
"Having Southport this year and previous VFL clubs and that helped me out to get to this point. I think that's sort of made it all worthwhile."
The Suns have now finalised their list ahead of the 2025 season, with hopes to ascend the ladder and reach a maiden finals berth.