Nick Holman talks about re-signing with the Gold Coast Suns as he continues his AFL revival

SUNS tackling machine Nick Holman says he wants to repay the faith Gold Coast have shown in him after re-signing until the end of 2019.

Nick Holman has re-signed with the Gold Coast Suns. Picture: AAP Image, Dave Hunt.

SUNS tackling machine Nick Holman says he wants to repay the faith Gold Coast have shown in him after re-signing until the end of 2019.

Holman has been one of the true feel good stories of what has been another bleak season for the Queensland club.

The 22-year-old’s AFL career looked to have come and gone after playing nine games for Carlton between 2014 and 2015 before being delisted.

Like many who sit on the fringes of AFL lists spanning over 40 players, Holman came and went without having the career he had dreamt of.

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But the Suns gifted him a lifeline at the end of 2017 and after two seasons playing in the SANFL for Central District Football Club, Holman has gone on to play all of the 15 games so far this season for the Suns.

“Dewy and the coaching staff, the faith they’ve shown in me, I’m so thankful for that opportunity the Suns have given me and super excited for another year,” Holman said.

“I wasn’t really sure how the whole year was going to pan out but it’s worked out really well.

“The boys have been really good and all the coaching staff have helped me out so yeah here we are.

“Hopefully I can give back to them what I owe.”

Holman revealed his goal was to play just five games this year but he has thrived under coach Stuart Dew’s defence-first philosophy, providing the tackling grunt the Suns have lacked.

Holman averages 6.4 tackles per game, the equal 12th most of any player in the AFL.

“I was hoping to play maybe five games, that’s probably what my mark was at the start of the year,” Holman said.

“But as the year’s gone on we’ve had a couple of injuries that probably favoured me a bit, I’ve been lucky enough to play them all so yeah that’s exciting.”

Gold Coast’s list manager Craig Cameron said Holman’s commitment to the club was just another example of the playing group buying in to the environment the Suns were creating.

“It’s fantastic to see Nick re-sign with the club, he has made the most of the opportunities presented having worked extremely hard over the pre-season to give himself the best possible chance to play senior football,” Cameron said.

“We look forward to Nick bringing that same energy and desire to succeed for the rest of the season and into next year.”

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