Territory Suns Malcolm Rosas and Joel Jeffrey focusing on league football in the 2021 AFL season

Former Darwin Buffalo Malcolm Rosas wants new teammate Joel Jeffrey to join him on the road to senior footy with the Gold Coast Suns in 2021

New Gold Coast Sun Joel Jeffrey gets a handball away in a VFL NAB League game. Picture: Scott Powick

THE Territory flavour at AFL club Gold Coast increased to five this month when Wanderers young gun Joel Jeffrey joined the Suns.

Former Darwin Buffalo Malcolm Rosas could not be happier with Jeffrey’s move to the east coast as both players chase starting spots in Gold Coast’s league side in 2021.

AFLW trio Jordann Hickey, Janet Baird and Sally Riley complete the NT quintet.

“I know Joel from playing against him in Darwin and it’s great to have another Territory boy join me here at the Suns,” Rosas said.

“He is a very talented player and I think he will have a good career, hopefully. Hopefully, if we keep working hard and stay injury free, we can earn a spot next season and play AFL footy.

“It would be pretty awesome to have two Darwin boys playing games for the Suns, particularly when Joel has settled in pretty well and he says he likes the Gold Coast lifestyle.’’

Rosas knows the big marking, long kicking Jeffrey will get home sick at times, but he reassured the flying former NTFL Eagle he has four other Territorians at the club.

“Joel knows a few of the other players, we will look after him,” Rosas grinned as he works toward a senior debut after joining the Suns in 2019.

Suns spokesman Craig Rowston said the club wanted Rosas and Jeffrey to make an impact on the AFL and AFLW sides.

“They both have real X-factor, are great young men and are exciting to watch,’’ Rowston said.

“We are excited to have them at the club and I think Territory footy fans will enjoy watching them play for the Suns.

“We’ll play home games in Darwin for at least the next two years as part of our NT partnership, and Marrara will be absolutely rocking if Joel and Mal get selected to play in front of their family and friends.”

Meanwhile, the Suns have backed AFLNT plans to build a $300 million multipurpose stadium on the fringes of Darwin city.

“This is an exciting project and the Suns would love to play games at the new stadium as part of our NT partnership,’’ Rowston said.

“We want the Suns to be the Territory’s AFL side right up until the day there is an NT side in the competition and want to see more locals on AFL and AFLW lists.’’