Joel Jeffrey, Lloyd Johnston to play in Gold Coast Suns’ VFL grand final vs Werribee
The Gold Coast Suns’ Territorian contingent will play a heavy role in this weekend’s VFL grand final against the Werribee Tigers.
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Territorian Lloyd Johnston has enjoyed a whirlwind debut season with the Gold Coast Suns, and this weekend will play in his biggest game to date, the VFL grand final against Werribee Tigers.
The Suns snapped up the 19-year-old Wanderers junior ahead of the 2022 AFL Rookie Draft, after what had been a monumental couple of seasons in the NTFL.
At that stage the rebounding defender had won the 2021-22 Rising Star award and appeared in the NTFL representative team that beat Glenelg.
Not even a full year after his initial selection he has become a feature of the Suns’ VFL side and earned selection to two AFL games late in the season against North Melbourne and Carlton.
And while he will be gunning for selection to the big league once again in 2024 his mind is firmly set on this weekend’s grand final.
“I’m super stoked to be a part of this game, this is a big milestone for the club and to be a part of that is amazing,” Johnston said.
“We know they’re going to come out firing, we played them at the start of the season and they gave us a good run for our money, we know what they’re going to bring to the table.
“We know what they’re going to do, we’ve been watching vision and we’re ready for them, the whole team is ready.
“It’s been a big season for me mentally and physically, at the start of the year in preseason I knew I had lot to work on.
“I knew I had a long way to go, but the coaches kept telling me I could play AFL if I put in the hard work, and now I’ve had a taste of that I know I’m going to keep pushing for more.”
The Territory contingent at Suns has played a key role in Johnston’s development into a professional player over the past year, with Jy Farrar, Joel Jeffrey and Sandy Brock also playing in the grand final.
“It’s the best feeling having so many Territorians in the side,” Johnston said.
“Joel and Jy, who I live with, have taught me a lot actually, particularly around the professional side of playing, having them as mentors has been the best.
“And at the club all of us NT boys stick close to one another and check up on each other, having that part of home down here is just the best.”
‘Can’t wait’: Jeffrey to play in his first professional grand final
A Wanderers junior has overcome an injury afflicted season and a change in position to secure his place in the Gold Coast Sun’s VFL grand final this weekend, the first big dance of his professional career.
It’s been an up and down season for the 21-year-old who suffered a stress fracture during the Suns’ AFL Round 14 loss to Carlton.
It saw him miss out on the remainder of the AFL season, but also opened up a chance for him to play finals footy for the VFL side, where Suns topped the table.
Jeffrey rejoined the side in the qualifying final 19.13 (127) to 12.12 (84) win over the Brisbane Lions and featured in the subsequent win against Box Hill, and will again in the final against Werribee.
“There’s a really positive feel around the club, we’re all looking forward to it off the win last week,” he said.
“It’s my first grand final at this level of footy, I’m not too nervous now, but once the day rolls around I’ll have butterflies rolling around my stomach, I can’t wait.
“I injured my foot in the AFL game and was out for about eight weeks so I had to play in the VFL, but I put my head down and went to work and to be in this grand final makes it all worth it.
“We’ve had a very strong season in the VFL side, we have a very strong connection within this group and know when the pressure moments come just to trust each other and stay connected.”
It’s not just an injury which Jeffrey has contended with this season, but also a move from the forwards to the backline, where he’s more than made a spot for himself.
“I’m actually loving it to be honest,” he said.
“I still love kicking goals, but getting down back I’ve been able to show my skills and talent off more with my kicking coming out of half back, as well as my marking
“It’s been pretty fun up to this point, I can see myself playing there as long as possible.”
The son of NT legend Russell Jeffrey won’t be the only Territorian in the encounter with Lloyd Johnston, Sandy Brock and Jy Farrer all ready for their first grand final in a Suns jersey as well.
Jeffrey and Johnston were team mates at Wanderers in the NTFL and house mates on the Gold Coast where they now share time together in the back line.
“It’s been pretty cool playing down back with him,” Jeffrey said.
“He’s had a really consistent year of footy, and was able to play in the AFL at the end of the year and now he knows what it takes to be a professional athlete. He’s done really well.”
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