Footy star Mac Andrew gets a bigger payday than Lance Franklin as he signs the AFL’s richest deal EVER – here’s what it’s worth
- Suns re-sign star player through 2030 in monster deal
- Star, 20, was also chased by Hawthorn
Gold Coast swingman Mac Andrew has signed a new contract with Gold Coast until the end of 2030 in what could be the most successful deal in AFL history.
Andrew, a key defender by trade, made a big impression at the end of the season when he was promoted forward.
The 20-year-old scored three goals against West Coast in Round 21 and then four against Essendon a week later, including the winning goal after the final whistle.
Andrew already had a contract until 2025 and thanks to the five-year extension he is now the player with the longest contract at the Suns.
It is said that the new deal will be extended for a further four years if certain targets are met, which would then be more than the $10 million that Lance Franklin earned in nine years at Sydney.
Hawthorn were one of the clubs keen to sign Andrew, but the athletic swingman wants to achieve the very best on the Gold Coast.
“I love everything about this place. I’ve made a home for myself here and have a great support base here,” Andrew said in a statement.
‘I really want to be part of the first team to win the competition on the coast.
Mac Andrew (pictured) could earn more than $10 million with the Suns – which would surpass the huge payout Lance Franklin got at the Sydney Swans
The 20-year-old attracted interest from other clubs, including Hawthorn, with his stellar play in 2024 – but he wants to win a flag with the Gold Coast
“It would be really special to be the first to do that. I really want to be a part of that.”
βIt’s clear we’re on the right track and I just want to play my part in what’s going to be a big thing.β
In 2021, Andrew became the first player of South Sudanese descent to be selected in the top five of the national draft after being selected by the Suns with pick 5.
At Fremantle, the Dockers removed Matt Taberner, Ethan Hughes, Sebit Kuek and Conrad Williams from the players’ list.
Taberner is the most famous player of the quartet, with 173 goals in 125 games.
The 31-year-old’s best season came in 2021, when he scored 37 goals in 16 games.
Taberner also scored seven goals against Essendon in round five of 2022.
The 202cm Andrew is known as a key defender, but a late season switch to attack brought out some of his best form
But a series of serious back injuries have forced him out of action for extended periods in recent years and he has now been overtaken in the pecking order by Jye Amiss, Josh Treacy and Patrick Voss.
Taberner has played just five games this year, scoring six goals, after making just four appearances in 2023.
Hughes has made 107 appearances for Fremantle since making his debut in 2015, including 20 last year.
But this season he was only selected six times for the senior squad.
Kuek joined Fremantle with the 15th pick in the 2022 mid-season draft, but he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in July 2023 and was unable to play a senior game for the Dockers.
Williams graduated from the club’s Next Generation Academy and was selected by Fremantle as a Category B rookie in the 2022 draft window, but never made his AFL debut.
The Western Bulldogs will see veteran Taylor Duryea and forward Lachie McNeil remain at Whitten Oval after signing new contracts.
McNeil, 23, has signed for two more seasons, while Duryea will play through the 2025 season.
The duo follows in the footsteps of Buku Khamis, who signed for two additional seasons earlier this week.