Southport's Ben Jepson has continued to train for a list spot with the Gold Coast Suns in the new year as the VFL defender looks to break through to the top flight this summer.
Jepson has been part of the Suns' summer program since the early stages of the Carrara club's pre-season, having been invited to show his value as Gold Coast weigh up a call on their last remaining list spot.
The Suns also had recently delisted forward Paul Hewago Oea training for the chance to earn back a list spot of his own after initially not being offered a contract extension for 2025, however the Papua New Guinean has since seen his Supplemental Selection Period training chance finish.
While Jepson - who had a stellar first season with Southport in 2024 - trains with the Suns, Oea has joined the Sharks' squad for the coming VFL season after deciding to remain in South East Queensland.
The Suns have left Jepson to contend for the list vacancy solo, with the club yet to fill the hole made by Oea's trial stint ending.
The situation has strengthened Jepson's chances of potentially securing a contract with Gold Coast, who can have a maximum of two SSP train-on prospects listed at any one time.
Jepson moved from Coburg to Queensland at the end of 2023 after a breakout year with the Lions, where he won best and fairest honours. His game went to new heights under Steve Daniel last year as the Sharks amassed a grand final finish, with Jepson averaging 25.4 disposals and 6.1 marks per game off half-back on his way to claiming VFL Team of the Year honours and another best and fairest podium finish.
The Suns have heavily invested in speed and run from the backline since the end of Damien Hardwick's first season at the helm of the competition's second-youngest club, acquiring Richmond gun Daniel Rioli and Collingwood dasher John Noble via last October's trade period.
The club found success with the recruitment of Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal winner Sam Clohesy out of Werribee in 2023, with the flanker playing every game for the Suns after breaking through for a debut in Round 4 last year.
Like Clohesy, Jepson could be positioned further up the field on the wing, with Hardwick's wide midfield options an intriguing aspect to their list given the question marks surrounding Lachie Weller and Brayden Fiorini.
Noble could also slot onto a wing spot to complement the Suns' contested contingent of inside ball winners.
The Suns have a month until a decision will need to be made on their final list spot, with clubs able to leave vacancies open for the Mid-Season Draft later this year.
