Gold Coast Suns Contracts & Salary Cap: Touk Miller, Academy Picks & Expansion Rebuild

The Gold Coast Suns operate under the AFL’s $16.49 million soft salary cap, featuring captain Touk Miller on a six-year deal worth approximately $5.5 million through 2028.

Gold Coast finished 15th in 2024 with a 7-16 record, missing finals for the seventh consecutive season. The club hasn’t won a final since entering the AFL in 2011. Despite 14 years of struggle, the Suns maintain hope through elite academy access and young talent development.

List manager Craig Cameron manages strategic spending around academy graduates Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, and Ben King. Coach Damien Hardwick enters his second season after defecting from Richmond’s dynasty, tasked with delivering the club’s first finals appearance since 2014.

Discover the Gold Coast Suns players biography and net worth by clicking on their name.

Gold Coast Suns’ Biggest Contracts

1. Touk Miller – Captain/Midfielder: Touk Miller signed a six-year extension through 2028 worth approximately $5.5 million total. He reportedly earns $900,000-950,000 annually as the 2021 AFL MVP and three-time club best and fairest. The 28-year-old averaged 32.1 disposals per game in 2024, carrying Gold Coast’s midfield despite another losing season.
2. Noah Anderson – Midfielder: Noah Anderson extended through 2030 on a deal worth approximately $5.5 million total. He earns an estimated $800,000-900,000 annually after academy selection at Pick 2 in 2019. The 23-year-old averaged 27.8 disposals in 2024, forming midfield partnership with Miller and Rowell.
3. Matt Rowell – Midfielder: Matt Rowell signed a six-year extension through 2028 worth approximately $5 million total. He earns an estimated $750,000-850,000 annually after academy selection at Pick 1 in 2019. The 23-year-old played just 14 games in 2024 through injury struggles, creating value concerns for his $800K salary.
4. Ben King – Key Forward: Ben King extended through 2028 on a deal worth approximately $4.5 million total. He earns an estimated $700,000-800,000 annually after joining Gold Coast alongside twin brother Max (now at Melbourne). The 24-year-old kicked 51 goals in 2024, leading the Suns’ forward line.
5. Lachie Weller – Midfielder: Lachie Weller remains on contract earning an estimated $650,000-750,000 annually through 2026. The 28-year-old former Fremantle player joined via trade in 2017. He averaged 22.4 disposals in 2024, providing experience in Gold Coast’s young midfield.

Gold Coast’s top-five contracts total approximately $25-27 million across multiple years. The Suns consume roughly 38-42% of salary cap space on these five players. This concentration invests heavily in young academy products yet to deliver finals success.

How Gold Coast Manages the $16.49M Salary Cap

The AFL’s salary cap for 2025 features a $16.49 million soft cap and $17.16 million hard cap. Gold Coast operates comfortably at approximately $15.5-16 million with $500,000-1 million remaining flexibility.

The Suns allocate 38-42% of salary cap to their top five highest-paid players. This distribution prioritizes retaining academy graduates over external recruitment. Brisbane spreads 35-40% across five players while leveraging academy picks for championship depth.

Gold Coast benefits massively from academy advantages through Next Generation Academy picks. The club secured Noah Anderson (Pick 2, 2019), Matt Rowell (Pick 1, 2019), and Ben King (Pick 6, 2018) at discount rates. Market value for their combined output would demand $2.8-3.2 million annually, yet they reportedly earn $2.3-2.6 million.

The Suns cleared salary space by trading Jack Bowes and Pick 7 to Geelong while paying $800,000 of his remaining contract. This unprecedented salary dump in 2022 created immediate cap relief for extending Anderson and Rowell. Gold Coast essentially paid $800K for Geelong to take Bowes.

Gold Coast faces minimal salary cap pressure through 2026 with most core players locked long-term. The club’s expansion concessions expired in 2021, removing previous cap advantages of $1 million annual additional space. This creates parity challenges competing against Victorian clubs.

Gold Coast’s Biggest Salary Cap Decision: The Matt Rowell Extension

Gold Coast’s most significant salary cap decision came extending Matt Rowell through 2028 despite playing just 44 games across five injury-plagued seasons. The club committed approximately $5 million over six years to a midfielder averaging 9 games per season.

Rowell’s recruitment as Pick 1 academy selection in 2019 cost Gold Coast no draft capital. However, extending him at $750,000-850,000 annually represents massive risk. His injury history includes shoulder surgeries, hamstring tears, and knee issues limiting him to 14 games in 2024.

The gamble reflects Gold Coast’s desperation retaining academy talent. The club fears another Jack Lukosius situation, where homegrown star requested trade to Port Adelaide in 2023. Rowell’s extension came with significant upfront guarantees preventing departure.

Rowell’s 2024 output of 14 games and 21.3 disposals doesn’t justify $800K salary. Richmond’s Tim Taranto earns similar money while playing 24 games averaging 26.4 disposals. The Suns overpaid to secure Rowell’s commitment, creating potential cap inefficiency.

This decision contrasts with Brisbane’s patient academy management. The Lions developed Will Ashcroft on rookie contract before extending. Gold Coast rushed Rowell’s extension fearing departure, compromising cap flexibility before proving sustained health.

Salary Cap Strategy: Gold Coast vs Brisbane

Gold Coast employs an academy retention model allocating 38-42% of cap space to five academy products earning $650,000-950,000. Brisbane pursues academy supplementation spreading 35-40% across five players mixing academy picks with external recruits.

The Suns built their core entirely through academy: Miller (rookie), Anderson (Pick 2), Rowell (Pick 1), King (Pick 6). Brisbane blends academy talent (Ashcroft brothers) with external stars like Lachie Neale ($1M) and Joe Daniher ($1.1M).

Gold Coast’s philosophy creates list homogeneity lacking proven winners. The club’s highest-paid players never experienced finals football at other clubs. Brisbane’s veteran recruits brought championship experience teaching young academy graduates winning habits.

The Queensland rivals showcase contrasting results. Brisbane won 2024 premiership with balanced list mixing academy and external talent. Gold Coast finished 15th with seven wins, trapped in perpetual rebuild despite elite academy access. The spending difference shows: Brisbane invested wisely, Gold Coast overpaid unproven youth.

FAQs

How much does Touk Miller earn at Gold Coast?

Touk Miller earns an estimated $900,000-950,000 annually on his six-year extension through 2028 worth approximately $5.5 million total. The 28-year-old captain and 2021 AFL MVP averaged 32.1 disposals in 2024, carrying Gold Coast’s midfield despite finishing 15th with just seven wins.

What is Matt Rowell’s contract worth?

Matt Rowell signed a six-year extension through 2028 worth approximately $5 million total, earning an estimated $750,000-850,000 annually. The 23-year-old Pick 1 academy product played just 14 games in 2024 through injury struggles, raising concerns about value for his $800K salary.

Does Gold Coast have salary cap advantages?

Gold Coast’s expansion concessions expired in 2021, removing previous $1 million annual additional cap space. The club now operates under standard $16.49 million soft cap but benefits from academy access securing Noah Anderson (Pick 2), Matt Rowell (Pick 1), and Ben King (Pick 6) at discount rates.

Why can’t Gold Coast make finals despite academy advantages?

Gold Coast finished 15th with 7-16 record in 2024 despite elite academy access because the club built entirely through academy without proven external winners. Brisbane won 2024 premiership mixing academy talent with veterans like Lachie Neale ($1M) and Joe Daniher ($1.1M) who teach winning habits.