Inaugural Gold Coast forward Sam Day has played his last game for the club after not being offered a contract for 2025.
Day - along with David Swallow - were the last remaining Suns who began in 2011, after being taken with Pick 3 in the 2010 National Draft.
The 31-year-old played 155 games across 14 seasons, kicking 117 goals throughout that time.
However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for the forward, who battled with injury and form throughout his time at the elite level.
"While I am disappointed to be finishing my time with the Suns, I am grateful for everything I have been able to achieve in my football career and the relationships I have made along the way," Day said.
"It's been a challenging journey at times, but I wouldn't change it for anything, and know those setbacks have helped shape the person I am today."
Football manager Wayne Campbell touched on Day's "resilience" throughout his career, providing valuable leadership and guidance to the youth of the club.
"His resilience to fight through injuries throughout his career has been commendable, and he has been a valuable mentor for our young and emerging key forwards over the years," Campbell said.
โSam has been an absolute warrior for this football club since the very beginning and it is important we recognise the significance of his career at the Suns.
โWhile these decisions are never easy, we have to prioritise the future of our football club as we assess our list heading into next season.
Gold Coast's decision to end Day's journey with the club comes as the delistings of Darcy Macpherson, James Tsitas, Jack Mahony, Sandy Brock, Will Rowlands and Oskar Faulkhead, andย the retirement of Brandon Ellis were revealed in recent times.
The departure of eight players has opened multiple list spots at the Suns, of which they'd like to fill it with trade targets Daniel Rioli (Richmond) and John Noble (Collingwood), whilst welcoming draft prospect Leo Lombard.
Gold Coast's mass exodus can be explained by the club's requirement to reduce its list size following the assistance package it was handed to by the AFL in 2019, which allowed up to 10 rookies to be signed.
That number is reportedly going to be slashed by five.
