The first of Damien Hardwick’s four-man leadership group at Carrara will lead the Gold Coast Suns into the 2024 season.
The rising Suns will be led by Jarrod Witts and Touk Miller once again this season, as decided by the playing group. The two have led the team for three straight seasons after assuming the position together in 2022.
Prior to this, Witts and David Swallow co-led for three seasons, from 2019 to 2021.
Miller told Suns Media, “I’m honored to have been voted in as this club’s captain alongside Jarrod again for 2024.”
“I’m confident we have a great mix of leadership attributes and skills which will serve us well as a unit in 2024, especially with Sam and Noah leading us again.”
Simple-minded defender Sam Collins and Noah Anderson, who was elevated after his outstanding best-and-fairest-winning 2023 season, will join Witts and Miller in the simplified group.
Anderson, who started in all 23 games the previous season, excelled in a number of statistical areas, averaging 26.9 disposals, 3.4 tackles, and an incredible 6.4 clearances per game.
Speaking on the fixed unit, Suns General Manager Wayne Campbell noted that having a diverse yet recognizable leadership group would be advantageous for the locker room.
Throughout their tenure with the Gold Coast SUNS, these four players have demonstrated a high caliber of leadership, which has truly impressed Campbell.
“Even though these four will represent the team in an official capacity, the playing group as a whole has strong leadership that will help our leadership group set the standards necessary for us to succeed.”
The Suns’ final preseason game will take place at Manuka Oval on Thursday night when they take on GWS.
On Saturday, March 9, in the league’s first-ever Opening Round, Gold Coast will host Richmond at Carrara, marking the start of the Hardwick era in earnest.