The Gold Coast SUNS have farewelled six players, with Darcy Macpherson, James Tsitas, Jack Mahony, Sandy Brock, Oskar Faulkhead and Will Rowlands being advised they would not be offered a new contract for 2025.

Macpherson was originally drafted by the SUNS with pick 21 in the 2016 Rookie Draft and has played nine seasons with the club.

He ends his time at the SUNS with 97 games to his name and a third-placed finish in the 2019 Club Champion.

Tsitas joined the club as a pre-season supplementary selection in 2022 and has played five AFL matches in his three seasons at the SUNS.

The 29-year-old took on the role as VFL captain in 2023 and played an instrumental role in helping the club claim its first VFL premiership, despite missing the decider through suspension.

Mahony crossed to the SUNS with pick 23 in last year’s Rookie Draft after 44 games at North Melbourne, but played 19 VFL games without an AFL appearance in 2024.

Brock was pre-listed as a SUNS rookie out of Darwin in 2021 and hasn’t played at AFL level in his three years on the club’s list.

Faulkhead joined the SUNS in the 2022 Mid-Season Rookie Draft and played in the club’s VFL premiership last season, but was not able to break through for an AFL debut in his two and a half seasons at Gold Coast.

Rowlands was recruited from the Northern Territory with Pick 18 in the 2023 AFL Rookie Draft and has also not made his debut at AFL level.

GC SUNS General Manager of Player Talent and Strategy Craig Cameron acknowledged the contributions the six players had made to the club.

“Darcy, James, Jack, Sandy, Oskar and Will have all had unique journeys to the AFL and we commend them for all the hard work and dedication they have invested in our club over the years,” Cameron said.

“We sincerely thank them for their service to the SUNS and wish them all the best for the next stage of their careers on and off the field.”

The six players join retiree Brandon Ellis in departing the club ahead of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.