Celebrating milestones is one of the greatest parts of footy, so what are some of the major SUNS milestones that could be reached in 2025?
David Swallow - 250 Games
The first player to play 200 games for the SUNS, the first to 100 AFL games at People First Stadium and a long, long list of further records.
The club’s sole remaining player from its inaugural season is on the verge of breaking more new ground in 2025. Sitting on 240 games heading into Opening Round - 13 more than brother Andrew finished his career on - 10 games under his belt this season would make him the first to play 250 AFL games for the Gold Coast SUNS.
It’s also a mark only previously reached by 292 players in V/AFL history.
200 games
Jarrod Harbrow’s 192 games in SUNS colours - second all-time behind Swallow - looks destined to be surpassed by one, if not two players in 2025. Long-time leader Touk Miller (191) will move level with Harbrow in his first game of the season, while Alex Sexton (181) is a further 10 games back. Joining the illustrious group alongside Swallow as players to crack the double ton in red and gold is also a possibility for the pair in 2025.
150 games
Stability and a host of players who have committed their young careers to the club means several are in contention to qualify for SUNS life membership in 2025. Sean Lemmens (148), Jarrod Witts (141), Ben Ainsworth (134) and Charlie Ballard (133) are all within reach of the mark in 2025, while Witts’ previous stint at Collingwood also has him just 19 games shy of 200 career games.
200 AFL goals
A career-best season in 2024 has Ben King (184 goals) on the cusp of 200 AFL goals, a mark only reached previously by Tom Lynch.
While it would take another career-best campaign for King to mow the former SUNS down, Lynch’s final haul of 254 isn’t out of the realms of possibility for 24-year-old who’s looking in fine knick this pre-season.
Daniel Rioli - 100 AFL wins
The former Tigers premiership star lands on the Gold Coast ready to make his mark, and SUNS fans will hope he can bring some of that winning experience to Queensland. He’s got 98 wins under his belt from 183 games, with a chance to reach the ton as early as Round 1 against West Coast.
Young debuts
Almost 14 years on, David Swallow (18 years, 134 days) remains as the youngest player in club history to debut. An early season debut from either Lachie Gulbin or Cooper Bell could see that mark eclipsed, while the first of the SUNS’ new brigade to earn their club debut will be its 150th player.
