Members of the inaugural GC SUNS team, McKenzie, Smith and Tape have been joined by Queenslanders Jackson Allen and Clay Cameron in recommitting to the club.
General Manager Football Operations Marcus Ashcroft said the club was pleased to have another group of players re-sign.
“We are thrilled that these five players have joined an ever growing list of players who are committed to establishing success with the Gold Coast Football Club.
“This is the second time that we have extended the contracts of Trent, Zac and Seb and it further demonstrates our belief that we have a group of players who are intent on bringing success to our football club” Ashcroft said.
McKenzie had a tough second season in the AFL following a breakout first year, and the man dubbed the ‘Cannon’ has played games struggled early in 2012 after missing the majority of the teams pre-season training through injury, however he finished the year full of running and once again thrilling Gold Coast fans with his thumping left foot.
Rockhampton-raised Smith has played 36 games during his first two seasons of AFL football. The 205cm ruckman is looking to take his game to another level in 2013 under the tutelage of Matthew Primus. Smith represented Australia in the 2011 International Rules series and was a NAB Rising Star Nominee in 2011.
South Australian Seb Tape was taken at Pick 13 at the 2010 National Draft. A proud South Australia who captained his State to victory in the 2010 Under 18 National Championships, Tape has played 23 games for the GC SUNS. The talented defender underwent a full knee reconstruction half way through last season and should be pushing for senior selection again in the early to middle part of 2013.
Highlighting the success of the GC SUNS and the expansion of the game in Queensland is the re-signing of Smith and fellow Queenslanders Jackson Allen and Clay Cameron.
Allen, who was recruited with a local access talent selection in the 2011 draft, made his AFL debut against the GWS Giants in Round 20 last season has extended his contract until the end of the 2014 season, while Cameron, who was secured with a local access selection at the years draft has committed until the end of the 2015 season.
“Importantly, Zac, Jackson and Clay are amongst eleven Queensland players on our list that in total make up a quarter of the entire playing squad, highlighting our commitment to provide a pathway to the AFL for elite young talent in our state,” Ashcroft added.
McKenzie, Smith, Tape, Allen and Cameron join team mates such as Charlie Dixon, David Swallow, Sam Day, Harley Bennell, Tom Lynch, Brandon Matera, Jeremy Taylor, Luke Russell, Jaeger O’Meara, Steven May and Alex Sexton who all extended their contracts with the GC SUNS throughout 2012.
