![Opportunity: Jack Bowes is a very tidy ball user and good in tight spaces](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/y/d/0/h/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gsmtep.png/1478912495736.jpg)
Gold Coast Suns
![Opportunity: Jack Bowes is a very tidy ball user and good in tight spaces](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/y/d/0/h/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gsmtep.png/1478912495736.jpg)
Thompson signs on with Suns
![Born-and-bred Gold Coaster Rory Thompson.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/s/8/1/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsn1kq.png/1478823801955.jpg)
Gold Coast defender Rory Thompson has signed a contract extension that ties him to the club until the end of 2019 at least.
Discarded Docker Michael Barlow signs two-year deal with Gold Coast Suns
![New Gold Coast Suns recruit Michael Barlow.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/k/k/u/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gskjvh.png/1478648179190.jpg)
Discarded Docker Michael Barlow has confirmed he'll continue his AFL career on the Gold Coast, officially joining the Suns as a delisted free agent on Tuesday.
Michael Barlow, Ricky Henderson find new homes
![Michael Barlow is joining the Gold Coast Suns.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/k/u/f/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.gskk2a.png/1478577328898.jpg)
Former Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow will continue his AFL career at Gold Coast after joining the expansion club as a delisted free agent on Tuesday.
Young Sun's contract torn up months after re-signing
![Jarrod Garlett in action.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/t/8/2/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gskgir.png/1478636392353.jpg)
Gold Coast youngster Jarrod Garlett has been released from his new two-year contract, despite agreeing to it in August, to return to his home state Western Australia to deal with a private family matter.
Ex-Docker Michael Barlow could have a new AFL home as early as Tuesday
![Michael Barlow's emotional message upon learning he was leaving Fremantle.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/9/e/7/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsk2d7.png/1478550772076.jpg)
Despite being delisted by the Dockers, Michael Barlow looks to have no shortage of AFL suitors.
Footy's most famous prodigal sons
![Gary Ablett](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/b/e/t/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gscwhs.png/1477710820759.jpg)
If Gary Ablett was granted his wish of returning to Geelong, he wouldn't have been the first big name in the history of the game to go back to his original club.
Suns on hunt for new major sponsor
![The Suns won't have the Fiat name on their jumper next season.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/t/6/9/5/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsdlro.png/1477705301578.jpg)
Gold Coast say they are well advanced in finding a new major sponsor after Fiat decided not to renew their expiring contract with the club.
It's time Gary Ablett unequivocally committed to the club that pays him handsomely
![Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett: Has had his challenges at the pioneering club.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/o/q/5/z/2/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsbz4a.png/1477537943528.jpg)
Even allowing for his reported renewed fidelity to the Gold Coast cause and the family pressures that drove him to try to leave, the Gary Ablett story leaves a lingering bad taste.
Ablett trade talk just a 'good Samaritan' act: Suns chairman
![Gary Ablett: Just a 'good Samaritan', says Gold Coast chairman Tony Cochrane.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/b/t/2/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsbrxr.png/1477529494118.jpg)
Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett's stunning offer to be traded back to Geelong was a "good Samaritan" act, according to Suns chairman Tony Cochrane.
Live: AFL announces 2017 fixture
![Carlton and Richmond will again open the season.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/f/b/w/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsboi8.png/1477527554659.jpg)
Join us for rolling coverage as the AFL announces the fixture for 2017.
Making sense of crazy-paced trade week
![Jaeger O'Meara's route to the Hawks was a complicated one.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/7/1/b/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsbgbn.png/1477513949698.jpg)
It was tough to keep up with which picks ended up where, let alone what was in it for the clubs.
Suns captain Ablett requested a trade back to Geelong
![Gary Ablett](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/b/e/t/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsbdsn.png/1477549242436.jpg)
Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett tried to leave the club at the end of the 2016 season, asking the Suns to trade him back to Geelong.
Port, Suns to play AFL in China in mid-May
![Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast Suns will meet next year in an unlikely AFL clash in Shanghai.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/2/r/2/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsb90e.png/1477525569318.jpg)
Gold Coast and Port Adelaide will square off in Shanghai on May 14 next year in the first AFL match for premiership points to take place in China.
Hawks did not break any AFL rules in O'Meara trade
![New Hawks recruit Jaeger O'Meara.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/7/8/a/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gsax71.png/1477451741967.jpg)
The AFL has firmly denied that there were any illegallities involved in the trade that sent Jaeger O'Meara from the Gold Coast to Hawthorn.
Cats chasing eight games at Simonds in 2017
![Cats captain Joel Selwood at a training session at Simonds Stadium.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/9/i/t/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs9h3w.png/1477293963926.jpg)
Geelong are pushing for eight games at Simonds Stadium in a 13-week period, with the 2017 AFL fixture due to be released on Thursday.
Round one 2017 AFL fixture announced
![Bombers v Hawks](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/z/9/j/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs8ib0.png/1477263361903.jpg)
The first round fixture of the 2017 AFL season has been released, with Essendon's banned players to return on Saturday night against Hawthorn at the MCG.
Cats want Ablett back? 'Good luck', says Eade
![Gary Ablett has said in the past he won't return to the Cats.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/7/x/t/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs7tn8.png/1477027489208.jpg)
Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade has a simple message for Geelong if they hope to lure favourite son Gary Ablett back to Simonds Stadium: "good luck".
Finally a Hawk, Jaeger O’Meara had to sweat on deal
![Happy to be a Hawk: new recruit Jaeger O'Meara at Waverley Park.](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/7/8/a/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs721n.png/1477447123177.jpg)
Jaeger O'Meara took the long way round to Waverley in a deal made with minutes to spare.
Tale of two trades: Gibbs has Blues as Hawks nab O'Meara
![Bryce Gibbs and Jaeger O'Meara](/web/20161112235458im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/7/4/d/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gs6y7m.png/1477018964233.jpg)
Gold Coast believe they "extracted their pound of flesh" from Hawthorn in the Jaeger O'Meara deal which was finally sealed at he eleventh hour.