Exciting Northern Territorian Lloyd Johnston has signed a two-year contract extension with the Gold Coast SUNS until the end of 2026.
 
Johnston, who hails from Borroloola – a small town 1000km south-east of Darwin, has played five games at AFL level since making his debut in Round 23, 2023.
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The speedy Indigenous talent said he was excited to continue his journey with the SUNS.
 
“I love this club and love coming to work every day with my closest mates,” Johnston said.
 
“To be able to represent the club and my community in the AFL is an opportunity I won’t take for granted, and I want to do everything I can to become the best AFL player I can be to help the club win games of football.
 
“I can’t wait to keep wearing the Gold Coast SUNS jumper for another two years and making my family proud whenever I walk onto the field.”
 
GC SUNS National Recruiting Manager Kall Burns said Johnston had improved dramatically in his time on the SUNS list.
 
“Lloyd came to us in 2022 as a raw prospect but with a lot of talent,” Burns said.
 
“What’s been most pleasing is seeing his commitment to bettering himself as a player, culminating in him earning an opportunity at AFL level late last year.
 
“The improvement we’ve seen over these two years has been substantial and we look forward to watching that continue in the coming years.”
 
Johnston was recruited as a Northern Territory SUNS Academy product ahead of the 2022 AFL Rookie Draft.
 
He has predominately played as a rebounding defender but has been redeployed in 2024 as a pressure forward under Senior Coach Damien Hardwick, making three AFL appearances.