Inaugural SUN Sam Day will play his 150th AFL match this weekend, becoming just the fifth player in Gold Coast SUNS history to reach the milestone.

In reaching 150 games, Day also becomes eligible to receive Life Membership for the Gold Coast SUNS.

“There’s opportunities that come across your desk which are really positive experiences for everyone and are special for the football club,” GC SUNS Interim Coach Steven King said when announcing the news to the playing group.

“There have only been four players that have played 150 games for this football club and on the weekend there will be a fifth in Sam Day.

“It’s an acknowledgement of Sam’s work and persistence and is a thoroughly deserved achievement.”

It’s been a long road to 150 games for the third overall pick from the 2010 AFL draft, with injuries being a significant factor through Day’s journey.

In the 2017 pre-season, Day suffered a serious dislocated hip, an injury which is more commonly seen in car crash victims.

He spent the entire 2017 season in rehab, returning to the field in 2018 before being sidelined once again with a shoulder injury.

In 2023, Day played in Rounds 9 and 10 at AFL level, while also being one of the most consistent players in the VFL, booting 28 goals in his 13 matches.

Day is one of the last remaining inaugural players on the Gold Coast SUNS list alongside David Swallow who was taken with pick 1 in the same draft.