Wallis Randell Signs Contract Extension With SUNS

Mackay product and GC SUNS AFLW defender Wallis Randell is among four players to have inked contract extensions on the Gold Coast.

Foundation player Jamie Stanton, Season Eight debutant Darcie Davies and 2023 draftee Sienna McMullen have all joined Randell in signing extensions through until the end of the 2025 AFLW season.

The quartet of Queenslanders are the latest players to commit to the club beyond 2024, joining a growing list of names including Claudia Whitfort, Lucy Single, Lauren Bella, Katie Lynch and Charlotte Wilson.

Randell is one of three players from the Mackay region on the SUNS list and has played 26 games across four seasons with the club.

Stanton made history in 2023, becoming the first player to reach 50 AFLW games whilst playing for the SUNS, fittingly kicking a career-high six goals in the milestone match on her to winning a  first SUNS Leading Goalkicker award.

Davies, a Southport Sharks junior, debuted in the opening game of 2023 and earned a Rising Star nomination in the final round of last season. McMullen was one of two Burleigh Bombers juniors to have been selected by the SUNS in the 2023 AFLW Draft and, alongside Davies, is a graduate of both the AFL and SUNS Academies.

“It’s fantastic to see four Queenslanders, including three players who have come through our Academy, committing to our club,” GC SUNS Head of Women’s Football Fiona Sessarago said.

“Having been a member of our club for many years, both in the Academy and AFLW squads, Wallis has played an integral role in the positive culture we have created here at the SUNS. At just 22 years old as well, we’re looking forward to seeing her continue growing this season and beyond.
 
“Jamie is one of two remaining foundation players at the club and has been a highly-valued member of our squad throughout five seasons. She provides a wealth of experience, both on and off the field, which is crucial as we continue to develop and strive to improve in the coming years.

“As two of our group’s youngest, Darcie and Sienna are role models for the next generation of young Queensland footballers with so much of their young careers ahead of them which we’re excited to be part of.”

Gold Coast returns to Mackay to face Carlton at Great Barrier Reef Arena on Sunday, September 8 in an AFLW Round 2 match. The SUNS are undefeated in its last two matches in Mackay with the 2024 season being the fourth consecutive in which the club has hosted a match at Great Barrier Reef Arena.

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