Gold Coast Suns player Brayden Fiorini discusses new contract and 2020 playing position

Brayden Fiorini’s new Suns deal has given him clarity on his long-term future but some mystery still remains around his playing position in the short-term.

BRAYDEN Fiorini’s new Suns deal has given him clarity on his long-term future but some mystery still remains around his playing position in the short-term.

The 22-year-old has signed a three-year contract extension that will keep him at Gold Coast until the end of the 2023 season, becoming nearly the 30th player on the list to re-sign in the past 12 months.

The confirmation of his contract came less than 24 hours after key defender Sam Collins recommitted until the end of 2022.

Fiorini, who finished fifth in the club’s best and fairest in 2019, has spent his career playing in the midfield but could be set for a stint down back.

Brayden Fiorini poses during the Gold Coast Suns AFL Team Photo Day at Metricon Stadium on February 18, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

It comes off the back of Gold Coast’s increased depth in the middle, injuries to defenders and his own slow build from off-season groin surgery, threes things that could make Fiorini an asset at half-back early in the season.

“I have had a bit of a compromised pre-season with my groin surgery and I have been playing a bit down back,” Fiorini said after playing the second pre-season game at half-back.

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“We have so many midfielders who can go through there and at the moment we are down in defenders with (Jarrod) Harbrow), (Pearce) Hanley and (Rory) Thompson, (Charlie) Ballard and (Jack) Hombsch) all a bit injured or coming off injury so I’m chopping down back at the moment.

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“I don’t mind where I play. I’m learning good habits down there in the backline and happy to play anywhere really. I’ll probably start down back but who knows.”

Gold Coast are coming off a 2019 season where they finished last but Fiorini said it has never felt more positive around the club coming into his fifth season at the Suns.

“Everyone wants to be here now. We do have a young group but it’s really driven and hungry as well.

“We are trying to get better each and every day.

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“We are really close group, we have good relationships and it’s our family away from our real families.”

Fiorini said he was uncertain when the new-found vibes at the Suns would transcend into wins on the field but said the sky was the limit.

Suns football manager Jon Haines said that the extension of a number of its core playing group was a sign that the players believed the club was heading in the right direction.

“Brayden is highly respected among the playing and coaching group and we’re thrilled that he, along with almost 30 of the core playing group have committed their future to the Gold Coast Suns,” Haines said.