Wil Powell has turned his back on free agency and inked a long-term contract extension with the Gold Coast SUNS.

With a year to run on his existing contract, the four-year extension will see Powell remain in the red, gold and blue until at least the end of the 2029 AFL campaign.

Powell, who also became a father just three weeks ago, says he’s thrilled to extend his tenure with the club that drafted him with Pick 19 in the 2017 AFL Draft. 

“I’m over the moon,” Powell said.

“It gives you a nice pat on the back for how the club thinks of you. I feel respected at the SUNS and I feel like I’m a leader now for the younger players coming through. 

“I feel really comfortable on and off the field, it’s such a family-orientated club and it made my decision to sign on the dotted line very easy.

“The extension takes me until I’m 29 years old which is crazy to think about. If they told me that I would be drafted and play until I was 29, and hopefully more, I would have laughed.

“I’ve worked hard to get here and I’ve had great support from my family, my partner and especially the club.” 

Gold Coast SUNS General Manager of Player Talent & Strategy Craig Cameron says securing a long-term extension for Powell is a terrific outcome for the football club.

“Since arriving at the club, Wil has continued to impress both on and off the field, developing into one of the finest defenders in the AFL and being regarded as a young leader among the playing group,” Cameron said.

“He’s an important part of our future which is why we’re thrilled to have finalised a contract extension that will see him remain on the Gold Coast for many years to come.”

Powell has played 88 games since debuting in Round 15, 2018.

He finished as Club Champion Runner-Up in 2021 having also finished in the Top 10 on two further occasions, despite missing significant periods of football through injury.