AFL legend stunned as Gold Coast forward Joel Jeffrey is handed a four-year extension – but many Suns fans are elated at the development
- Joel Jeffrey has signed a new four-year contract with Gold Coast
- Made AFL debut for the Suns in 2021 and has mainly played VFL since
- AFL identity Kane Cornes was stunned by the development
Outspoken AFL identity Kane Cornes has questioned the logic behind Gold Coast Suns in offering edge forward Joel Jeffrey a four-year contract extension.
Jeffrey, 21, made his debut in 2021 but has played just 16 games in three seasons.
The Suns confirmed the development on Monday, leaving Cornes in disbelief.
‘Automatic qualification for the hall of fame of stupid contracts,’ he posted on X when the deal was confirmed.
Cornes – who won a flag with Port Adelaide in 2004 – had a number of supporters on social media, with one footy fan commenting: ‘I can’t agree with that… this contract for a fringe player I’ve never heard of heard. it smacks of ignorance.”
Outspoken AFL identity Kane Cornes was left stunned after the Gold Coast Suns offered forward Joel Jeffrey a four-year contract extension
Jeffrey, 21, made his AFL debut in 2021 but has played just 16 games in three seasons
After finishing 15th this season, expectations will be higher for the Glitter Strip in 2024 after three-time premiership-winning coach Damien Hardwick signed a six-year contract
But other die-hard Gold Coast supporters were happy to see the club secure the services of the Darwin-born goalscorer for the long term.
‘Great signing if we can get the best out of him. We need him at his best and won’t accept a place in the VFL side as okay. Definitely potential champion,” one person wrote.
Another said: ‘Very nice….good signature, he’s ready to make this boy explode.’
After finishing 15th this season, expectations will be significantly higher on the Glitter Strip in 2024 after coach Damien Hardwick signed a six-year contract in August.
Hardwick quit as Richmond head coach in May, citing burnout after leading the Tigers to three premierships at Punt Rd.
“I believe this is the start of an incredible journey with a club and a community that has a burning desire to succeed,” Hardwick said in a statement.
“The Gold Coast deserves a successful team it can be proud of and it is now my job to make that happen.
“I see the enormous potential we have ahead of us, but understand that it will take hard work to achieve our goals.
‘The foundation has been laid so that we can develop this club into a competitor for years to come and this is a challenge that I am very much looking forward to taking on.’