Delisted Suns player reveals how he plans to make his way back to the AFL

A DELISTED Sun is determined to work his way back into the AFL as he plots his path back to the top level. Here’s how he plans to do it

A DELISTED Sun is determined to work his way back into the AFL as he plots his path back to the top level.

Max Spencer was one of three rookies to be let go by the Suns in August, along with veteran Michael Barlow.

The 21-year-old said he was gauging interest from other AFL clubs while preparing for a likely stint in one of Australia’s state leagues.

“Plan A is to sign with an AFL club and plan B is to go and play state league somewhere,” Spencer said.

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“At this stage it probably won’t be in the NEAFL. I’ll probably go down to Victoria or Western Australia.

“I have lived at home for a while now and it’s time I got out of my comfort zone and get some more experience.

“I have played four years of NEAFL footy after going through the Suns academy and I feel I got everything I probably could out of it.

Max Spencer looks on during the Round 19 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Richmond Tigers at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, Saturday, July 29, 2017. Picture: AAP Image, Dave Hunt.

“It would be good to go into a different environment and get some more out of myself. Hopefully I can play some good footy and get back into the AFL mix somewhere.

“One of the key messages I got from the Suns was that I had plenty of time left in my career.

“These days there are a lot of mature age recruits being picked up and it increases your chances of playing (AFL) again. I definitely have a lot more to give.”

The Palm Beach Currumbin product played eight games for the Suns over the past two seasons after graduating from Gold Coast’s academy at the end of 2016.

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The key defender was stuck behind pillars Steven May and Rory Thompson and only got minor glimpses at AFL level when injuries allowed.

He was often left as the only key defender against some of the competition’s powerhouse forwards.

Spencer said he wasn’t shocked by his delisting at Gold Coast but conceded it was still an emotional departure.

Max Spencer of the Suns runs with the ball under pressure from Jesse Hogan of the Demons during the Round 20 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG in Melbourne, Sunday, August 5, 2018. Picture: AAP Image, Daniel Pockett.

“You can’t really brace yourself for it but I wasn’t thinking I was likely to get another year,” Spencer said.

“The initial shock was always going to be hard to deal with. It was pretty heart breaking.

“I was under no illusions the Suns needed to turn their list over and I was probably going to be at the expense of that.”