NEW DEAL FOR SUN
YOUNG GUN STAYS PUT
SUNS forward Darcy Macpherson has celebrated his return from a broken leg by announcing a new two-year deal with Gold Coast, who will promote the rookie to the senior list in 2019.
Macpherson has spent three years on the rookie list, working on his game in the hope of securing a spot on Gold Coast’s senior list.
The 20-year-old son of former Footscray player Stephen Macpherson was due to come off contract at the end of this season and despite playing in the opening five games of the AFL season, a broken leg suffered in the Round 5 QClash threatened to derail his year.
But Macpherson revealed the Suns had backed him in by extending his contract until the end of 2020.
“We worked through it with (Suns list manager) Craig Cameron,” Macpherson said. “I got a two-year deal on the senior list. It’s great that they have put belief in me to stay here for another two years on the primary list.
“It’s a bit of an upgrade from slugging away on the rookie list for three years but it’s great to be up there for 2019 and 2020. It gives me security and I can really settle down and not stress about what is happening.”
Macpherson missed 16 AFL games while working his way back from a broken leg before returning through the Suns NEAFL team against Brisbane on Saturday at Metricon Stadium.
Macpherson collected 21 possessions in the 17.15 (117) to 3.8 (26) loss and showed no hesitation in throwing his body into contests.
“I couldn’t be more happy to get through the game and get the feeling of hitting bodies again,” Macpherson said.
“I was just happy to get through unscathed. I was confident with all the work I had done with (rehabilitation manager) Alex Rigby and to get a few knocks early on the body helped me build the confidence to do it again.”
Macpherson said he hoped to play in Gold Coast’s final game of the season against Geelong this Saturday.
“It would be a good opportunity to finish off the season with a game before going into the 2019 preseason,” Macpherson said. “Hopefully the coaches talk about it and put me up for selection.”