The Gold Coast SUNS are pleased to announce that young duo Brayden Fiorini & Charlie Ballard have both extended their contracts with the club for a further two years.
Fiorini (20) and Ballard (18) both expressed their excitement about extending their contracts with the club through until the end of the 2020 and 2021 AFL seasons respectively.
“I’m very happy, it gives me a bit of surety with my future and its really exciting to be part of such a young and exciting group of players,” Ballard said.
WATCH: Brayden Fiorini re-signs
“I had a brief conversation with my family about it and there was absolutely no hesitation in re-signing.”
Fiorini, who started the 2018 season strongly before missing recent weeks with injury, said he was excited to secure his future and now considered Gold Coast his home.
“I can’t wait to be part of the future of the club, we’re growing something really special,” said Fiorini.
“Stuey has been great not only for the whole club, but my own game personally as well.
“Over the next couple of years, I want to really develop as a leader of this club and try to drive the group as much as I can.”
General Manager - List & Strategy Craig Cameron said he was thrilled to be able to secure exciting young talents as part of the club’s future.
“As a club, we’re rapt to secure the signatures of both Brayden and Charlie,” Cameron said.
“Charlie has shown a great appetite to learn in his short time at the club, he’s keen to improve his game and that’s great to see from a young man.
WATCH: Charlie Ballard extends contract
“Brayden is a fantastic person to have around the club, really professional, has a great understanding of the game and is constantly trying to improve.
“We’re thrilled that both Brayden and Charlie can see the environment we’re trying to build as a club, and have extended their contracts to be part of our future.”
Taken with selection 20 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, Fiorini has become an integral part of the playing group during an injury-interrupted three seasons with the SUNS, amassing 21 games.
Ballard, who was taken with the 42nd pick in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft, and Fiorini join fellow young players Wil Powell & Sean Lemmens as GC SUNS players to have re-signed with the club in recent weeks.