Mac Andrew commits future to Gold Coast Suns, inks AFL’s richest deal ever
Two main factors made Mac Andrew decide to sign the AFL’s biggest-ever deal and stay on the Gold Coast. He tells CALLUM DICK why he didn’t want to return to Melbourne.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The NBA has the Supermax. Now the AFL has the SuperMac.
This masthead can reveal Mac Andrew has put pen to paper on the richest deal in AFL history to remain on the Gold Coast long term and spearhead the Suns’ pursuit of an elusive premiership.
It is understood Andrew’s new deal is for six years with a games trigger for a further four years, netting him between $12-$14m based on various clauses.
It would see him play in the red, blue and gold into his 30s.
The contract, brokered by Pacific Sports Management, gives the Suns a level of protection should the worst happen and Andrew suffer a career-ending injury, while also ensuring a fit and firing Andrew will be well compensated during the peak of his playing career.
In totality the contract would be the richest deal in AFL history, eclipsing the likes of Dustin Martin and Lance Franklin’s lucrative contracts at Richmond and Sydney respectively.
Speaking exclusively to this masthead, Andrew revealed it was a conversation with Damien Hardwick early in the year which convinced him to stay on at the Suns.
“When Dimma came in and seeing the way he changed the place and how enjoyable he made it … it’s somewhere people want to be,” Andrew said.
“It really influenced my decision to make the Gold Coast my home for hopefully the rest of my career.
“We have a really young team and Dimma has brought us a lot closer. We’re all really connected and on the same page about what we want to achieve here. Once it all clicks I think it will be really scary what this team can do.”
The 20 year old was already contracted to the end of 2025, but it is understood his current deal has been restructured to reward his form this season that saw him become one of the most talked about young talents in the AFL.
All going well, it will tie Andrew and the Suns together to the end of 2034 – outpacing the deals of Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee, Western Bulldogs spearhead Aaron Naughton, and GWS defender Sam Taylor whose contracts expire at the end of 2032.
PSM owner Chris Orr said: “It’s great work from our agent Ash (Blair) working with mac to secure this deal, which will see Mac stay on the Gold Coast playing for the Suns for many years to come.”
Victorian rivals were readying their war chests to lure Andrew back home on big money from next season, with one club reportedly willing to put an eight-year, $12m deal on the table.
Anticipating a major bidding war for the budding superstar’s services, the Suns successfully got ahead of the game to lockdown a cornerstone of the list they hope Hardwick will soon lead to a premiership.
Despite growing up in Melbourne and with the bulk of his family still in Victoria, Andrew said he never truly considered returning home.
“I probably never really wanted to go back to Melbourne,” he said.
“Even when I got drafted I was pretty open with Gold Coast about wanting to get out of Melbourne. It’s been a new adventure for me and I want to see what happens by sticking around here.
“Obviously there’s a tiny bit of thought you put into it given my family is down there, but they’re really happy for me to be up here.
“I think to maximise my career it’s best for me to stay up here in an environment where I can go about my own business.
“To my agency PSM, thanks to Chris and Ash for their support in getting this deal done.”
Getting to live life removed from the AFL bubble was a major reason Andrew preferred a move outside of Victoria in his draft year. Now that he has built a life for himself on the Gold Coast, he feels he made the correct decision.
“You talk to most of the boys and they’ll tell you the same thing, the lifestyle up here is so much better,” he said.
“Good weather year-round, playing footy up here … those couple of games we sold out this year, the atmosphere was crazy. The more fans we can bring in the more people will want to stay here as well.
“My host family, Steve and Karen, I moved in with them when I came up here and they made it home for me. They’re like my mum and dad, they look after everything.
“The playing group, I have a great crew of boys I hang around with. The club makes it feel like no one is left out. We have a pretty diverse group and it’s something that has really helped me.
“I can go to anyone to chat, whether it’s one of the first-year boys or Touk (Miller).”
Andrew has already changed the AFL landscape on the Gold Coast.
In his first full season of senior football he has become an overwhelming fan favourite not just at the Suns but across the competition.
Only Harry Sheezel drew more public votes for the AFL 22under22 team – and Sheezel’s tally was bolstered by being a dual-position player, while Andrew was listed only as a key defender.
On Tuesday night, Andrew attended an NBL game on the Gold Coast where young fans snubbed the basketballers to instead swarm the Suns’ superstar for photos and autographs.
Not even Gary Ablett Jr, the man many consider to be the greatest modern player of all time and who played seven of his best years on the Gold Coast, captured the hearts and minds of the Suns fan base like Andrew has.
On-field he is one of the most watchable players in the AFL. But away from footy, Andrew says his life is very normal.
He loves the Gold Coast lifestyle but will never touch a surfboard – not much of a swimmer, he says.
“I want to start doing my barber course, that’s something I’m really passionate about,” Andrew added
“And I’ve just become a multicultural ambassador. I really want to dive into that space and try to make a positive impact in the multicultural community. I want to start doing more of that now.
“Besides that, it’s really just PlayStation and training.”
The world watched this season as Andrew’s raw talent was finally harnessed and he blossomed into a bona fide swingman, capable of performing at either end of the ground.
In his first game of the season he had 16 intercept possessions against the Giants. Four months later he kicked four goals – including the winner after the siren – to end Essendon’s finals chances.
With plenty of improvement still to come, he projects as one of the faces of the competition over the next decade.
But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing to this point for the No. 5 pick in the 2021 national draft.
Last year he served two club-imposed sanctions totalling three games for off-field misdemeanours.
A contrite Andrew owned his mistakes on both occasions and this year has not put a foot wrong.
He said some “tough chats” with the likes of Hardwick and vice-captain Sam Collins were necessary and welcomed.
“Dimma always knew what I was capable of but he made me earn it and I think that’s something I needed,” Andrew said.
“He came in and reassured me he wants me to play under him for however long we’re both here and that definitely influenced my decision (to stay). He’s been great for me so far.
“I’ve had some tough chats with (Collins) over my time. Obviously I haven’t been perfect up here. But he’s been great. He’s the kind of guy who, if you’re not on board with him he’ll leave you behind … but I know I can go to him for anything.
“I could drop 10 marks in a row and Collo will still tell me to fly for the next one. I know the boys back me and my ability and it’s something I’m really grateful for.”
In just 20 games this season, Andrew finished sixth in the Suns’ Club Champion, only six votes behind Sam Flanders in third.
With another pre-season under his belt, the man whose confidence knows no bounds will no doubt have a big say in the Suns’ 2025 charge.
More Coverage
Originally published as Mac Andrew commits future to Gold Coast Suns, inks AFL’s richest deal ever
Pies set to delay Gold Coast sale, Suns eye prime time blitz
Collingwood has delayed any plans to sell a game to the Gold Coast, while the Suns are hoping to become the AFL’s prime time darlings. JON RALPH has the latest fixture whispers.
Best 23s: How trade period changed every club
Trade period is behind us and the clear winners and losers have emerged. How will every club’s best 23 look for 2025 after the exchange period? FIND OUT HERE