Gold Coast Suns

The top ten Gold Coast Suns players of all-time

Are these the ten greatest Suns to shine since inception?

Published by
Zero Hanger

Throughout the final years of the 1990s, AFL clubs across the land looked backward rather than forward, with selectors, historians and superstars converging to name their Teams of the 20th Century.

However, for the league's young expansion clubs, the chance to sit down and select their finest sides has not yet arisen.

So, as we near the quarter-time mark of the 21st century, what better time to run the rule on which players are likely to feature when the selectors of tomorrow get together in several decades' time?

While every club has an array of deadset legends that can be called on, we here at Zero Hanger have employed the following rules of selection:

  • Only statistics recorded and achievements accrued since the start of the 2000 AFL season will be acknowledged.
  • All statistics and awards must have been accrued while playing for the club in question.
  • Any player selected must have played at least 100 senior games for their respective club since the start of the 2000 AFL season.

Next up, we head to Carrara to run the rule of the best Gold Coast Suns to have shone since inception.

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Aaron Hall (2012-2018)

103 games, 19.3 disposals per game

While injuries and form woes would hurt Hall during his early days as a Sun, by his latter on the Gold Coast, the Tasmanian had hit his straps, averaging 26.7 touches during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Still, like many of his former teammates, Hall would only find his true peak after departing Carrara, with North Melbourne reaping the rewards.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: Aaron Hall of the Suns runs the ball during the round eight AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Melbourne Demons at The Gabba on May 12, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Steven May (2011-2018)

123 games

A dual All-Australian and a premiership player, just not as a Sun. Throughout the course of his career, May has evolved into one of the more reliable defenders in the competition, a reputation he first began forging during his days as a Sun.

While the former captain would depart at the end of 2018, May is unlikely to forget his first lessons at league level that were forged under fire.

Steven May during a Gold Coast Suns AFL training session at Metricon Stadium on June 27, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia.

Jarrod Harbrow (2011-2021)

1 x best and fairest (2018)
192 games, 19.5 disposals per game, 3.35 rebound 50s per game

There from day dot but a man of few words, there have been no quieter achievers than Harbrow throughout the course of the Suns' brief history.

After cutting his teeth as a Bulldog, the Cairns native made the shift home to Queensland in 2011 and stayed on for a further decade and change.

Reliable all the time and damaging on his day, teammates knew what they would get from Harbrow each and every week.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: Jarrod Harbrow of the Suns kicks during the round two AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Fremantle Dockers at Metricon Stadium on March 31, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Alex Sexton (2012-present)

2x leading goalkicker (2018 and 2019)
166 games, 162 goals, 0.98 goals per game

Though still on the Suns' list, Sexton, a two-time leading goalkicker, is already a Gold Coast life member.

Although unable to boast a goal-per-game average across the course of his 12 seasons in the league, the Queensland transplant can lay claim to having booted four or more goals on six occasions throughout his career.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Alex Sexton of the Suns kicks whilst being tackled during the round one AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium on March 24, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

 

David Swallow (2011-present)

1 x best and fairest (2014)
220 games, 20.5 disposals per game

Opening draft pick, inaugural Sun, former captain, games record-holder, any way you look at it, David Swallow will feature heavily when scribes sit down to pen the early days of Gold Coast's history.

Although the Western Australian may not have hit the heights that many expected of him, few, if any, can complain about what Swallow has given to the Suns for season upon season on end.

BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - MAY 5: Acting Captain David Swallow of the Suns leads his team up the race during the 2018 AFL round seven match between the Western Bulldogs and the Gold Coast Suns at Mars Stadium on May 5, 2018 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Jarrod Witts (2017-present)

1 x best and fairest (2019)
125 games

The Suns' co-captain has been a consistent cog in the middle of the field since making the move north from Collingwood at the end of 2016.

While not an All-Australia, Witts was part of the initial squad in 2022, and took out his maiden Club Champion gong three years prior.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 01: Jarrod Witts of the Suns and Todd Goldstein of the Kangaroos compete for the ball during the round 15 the Gold Coast Suns and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Metricon Stadium on July 1, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Tom Lynch (2011-2018)

2 x best and fairest (2015 and 2016)
4 x leading goalkicker (2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017)
1 x All-Australian (2016)
131 games, 254 goals, 1.9 goals per game

Brought north with a blue-chip draft pick, Lynch quickly re-paid the Suns' faith, bagging goals for fun and emerging as a leader before too long.

But while the spearhead would eventually become the first Sun not named Ablett to earn an All-Australian blazer, and eventually take over the captaincy, he too would make tracks from Carrara eventually, with Richmond solidifying their tiny premiership odds ahead of the 2019 season by bringing the big man back to Victoria.

PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA - APRIL 14: Tom Lynch of the Suns celebrates after scoring a goal during the round four AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Touk Miller (2015-present)

2 x best and fairest (2021 and 2022)
2 x All-Australian (2021 and 2022)
173 games, 23.2 disposals per game, 61 Brownlow votes, 0.35 votes per game

With two best and fairests, a pair of All-Australian blazers and an AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award to his name, Miller is the man at Carrara these days.

Across the past three seasons, the socks-up operator has put his best foot forward, averaging 28.9 disposals each week.

With a maiden September berth in his sights, the current co-captain will be hoping the next generation can continue to run with him in 2024.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 20: Touk Miller of the Suns kicks on goal during the 2022 AFL Round 01 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium on March 20, 2022 In Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Gary Ablett Jr. (2011-2017)

1 x Brownlow Medal (2013)
2 x Leigh Matthews Trophy (2012 and 2013)
4 x best and fairest (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2017)
2 x leading goalkicker (2012 and 2013)
4 x All-Australian (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014)

Who else was it going to be, really?

While Ablett only spent seven seasons on the Gold Coast, with several of his latter campaigns curbed by injury, the son of man came, saw and conquered on a personal level, adding a swathe of awards to his already stacked mantel.

Although Ablett couldn't drag the Suns into the September action, his name will feature heavily in their history books for many, many years to come.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Gary Ablett of the Suns poses with the medal after winning the 2013 Brownlow Medal at Crown Palladium on September 23, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Published by
Zero Hanger