Holman tackles his task well

SUNS tackling machine Nick Holman says he wants to repay the faith Gold Coast have shown in him after re-signing until the end of 2019.

Holman has been a feel-good story of what has been a bleak season for the club.

The 22-year-old’s AFL career looked to have come and gone after playing nine games for Carlton between 2014 and 2015 before being delisted.

Like many who sit on the fringes of AFL lists spanning more than 40 players, Holman came and went without having the career he had dreamt of.

But the Suns gifted him a lifeline at the end of 2017 after he played two seasons for Central District in the SANFL and Holman has gone on to play all 15 Suns games this season.

“I wasn’t really sure how the whole year was going to pan out but it’s worked out really well,” said Holman, who thanked Stuart Dew and his coaching staff for the faith they had shown in him.

Holman, who had aimed to play five matches at the top level this season, averages 6.4 tackles a game, equal 12th most of any player in the AFL.