Reigning AFLW Club Champion Charlie Rowbottom and joint runners-up Daisy D’Arcy & Niamh McLaughlin have all committed their futures to the Gold Coast SUNS.
Rowbottom and D’Arcy have signed two-year deals to call the Gold Coast home until at least the end of the 2026 AFLW season, while McLaughlin has signed a one-year extension.
The significant announcement for the club comes after the trio compiled career-best seasons in 2024, establishing themselves as three of the AFLW’s finest talents.
GC SUNS Head of Women’s Football Fiona Sessarago said, “It is fantastic to have Charlie, Daisy and Niamh all committing to our club.
“There is more than 100 games of AFLW experience between the group who, as shown by their honours won at our Club Champion event, all played important roles for our club this season.
“At just 21 years of age, Charlie and Daisy are experienced players and still have so much potential to fulfil. Since arriving on the Gold Coast, Niamh has been the ultimate professional and has continued to go from strength-to-strength this season.
“These three players are going to be important in driving the future of our club as we strive for sustained success in the AFLW competition.”
Former number one pick Rowbottom reaffirmed her position as one of the AFLW’s premier midfielders in 2024, breaking several records on the way to becoming a two-time SUNS AFLW Club Champion and two-time All-Australian.
The 21-year-old, who was a member of the club’s leadership group for the first time in 2024, says there was never a doubt the Gold Coast is where she wanted to remain.
“I’m super excited to commit to the SUNS. I’ve had four seasons here and it’s exciting to be locked in for another two,” Rowbottom said.
“The playing group here is a massive influence for me. Moving from Melbourne to the Gold Coast, you develop a support network pretty quickly and lean on each other a lot.
“It’s an incredibly determined and resilient group. That hunger to chase success is bigger than ever and I’m really keen to keep growing with these girls.”
The Townsville product is one of the club’s emerging leaders, leading by example on and off the field in a season which was cut short with a knee injury.
Last month, she became the SUNS’ first three-time AFLW Players’ Player, also earning a third Club Champion podium finish of her young career and a third-place finish in the AFL Players’ Association Most Courageous Award.
“To sign for another two years means a lot to me. I really love this group and it’s a privilege to come to work alongside each of them every day,” D’Arcy said.
“It’s a really exciting future here on the Gold Coast with a great group who are hungry for success.”
Irish tri-code athlete McLaughlin will put unique skillset on display for a third AFLW season in 2025. The well credentialed Gaelic footballer and soccer player added Aussie Rules to her bow in 2023 and hasn’t taken a backwards step since arriving on the Gold Coast.
Boasting a Gaelic football resume that includes captaincy of her county Donegal and GAA Ladies Senior Footballer of the Year honours, alongside a young soccer career that included Irish Under 17 and Under 19 caps and stints at English giants Newcastle and Sunderland, the 31-year-old has now become an integral cog in the SUNS defensive set-up.
“I’m really excited to be going into my third season now,” McLaughlin said.
“This group of players was a massive factor in the decision for me. I’ve always felt so supported here and the staff and the playing group have always made it really easy for me.”
“There’s some much talent here at the SUNS and we’re excited about what we can achieve as a group.”
Rowbottom and D’Arcy are the latest to pen multi-year extensions with the club during the off-season, following Annabel Kievit and Elise Barwick (both until 2026).
