Gold Coast captain Tara Bohanna requests trade just hours after Suns part ways with coach Cam Joyce

Just hours after sacking coach Cam Joyce, the Suns have been hit by a trade request from their captain. ELIZA REILLY and DAN CHERNY have the details.

Gold Coast will need to appoint a new coach and captain this off-season with Tara Bohanna requesting a trade just hours after the Suns parted ways with Cam Joyce.

A complete review of its AFLW program led to the Suns sacking Joyce just six months after he penned a contract extension until the end of 2026. Gold Coast won just one game in 2024, slumping from fifth to 17th in the space of 12 months. And now Gold Coast will also have new on-field leadership with Bohanna out of contract and set to return to her native Victoria.

It’s understood that Carlton is currently leading the race to secure her services, but several Victorian clubs have registered an interest in the Suns captain.

Cameron Joyce and Tara Bohanna are both leaving Gold Coast. Picture: Getty Images

A key forward originally from the Southern Saints VFLW program, Bohanna has captained the Suns for the last three seasons. The 29-year-old took out the Suns’ leading goalkicker for a third time in four seasons at the club’s best and fairest last month.

Out of contract runner-up club champion Niamh McLaughlin is set to extend her stay at the Suns.

The Suns will commence their search for a new AFLW head coach in the coming weeks.

Gold Coast conceded the most points of any team in the competition this season, losing three games by more than 50 points. Joyce ends his Suns tenure with a 15-23-3 record as Gold Coast’s post-season review continues.

A poor run of results spelled the end for Joyce. Picture: Getty Images

“Following a disappointing 2024 season we have reviewed all aspects of our AFLW program to identify how we can continue to improve our performance and ultimately achieve our mission of winning AFLW premierships,” Suns chief executive Mark Evans said.

“In order to take those steps forward and compete against the best teams in the AFLW competition, we have decided the club would be best placed under the guidance of a new head coach.

“Cam has led and overseen the transition of our AFLW football program over the past four seasons and created a foundation from which our players can strive for success moving forward.

“We’d like to thank Cam, his wife Leana and sons Henry and Oscar for their significant contributions to our club.”

Originally published as Gold Coast captain Tara Bohanna requests trade just hours after Suns part ways with coach Cam Joyce