With a flair for Showtime and an endless bag of tricks, Jared Brennan’s contribution to the Gold Coast SUNS will be felt well beyond 2013 according to GM of Football Operations Marcus Ashcroft.

“It’s always a sad day when someone leaves, especially when you lose someone of Jared’s calibre,” Ashcroft said.

“He’s been with us for three years and was one of our first uncontracted players. 

“He’s played some great consistent football and he’s a player we will miss going forward.”

Just one of nine Gold Coasters to play 50 AFL Premiership matches for the Club, Brennan, after consultation with his management and family advised the GC SUNS of his decision a week after taking part in the football departments annual reviews. 

The 173 gamer indicating he had a desire to begin pursuing post-football career opportunities and devote more time to his young family.

“He has a young family and wants to start thinking about his career post-football, so from his point of view he is ready to move on and we’ll miss him, and I guess as a club we’ll need to move on as well.”

On his day, Brennan was one of the most exciting and unpredictable players in the premiership with his one-handed pick-ups and unorthodox left-foot benders consistently bringing crowds to their feet around the country. Ironically it was that unpredictability which at times resulted in the Northern Territorian spending time with the SUNS NEAFL side. 

But with five players already delisted, Brennan’s retirement brings the Gold Coasters into line with the list requirements, however Ashcroft remained tight lipped on any planned activity during this year’s trade and exchange periods. 

 “We needed to make six spots available with the AFL Draft coming up so that gets us to the point now,” Ashcroft said.

“Whether we make any changes still remains to be seen.”

“Like every Club we will look at all our options, like we do every year, but at this point we don’t think we’ll be too active.”