The Gold Coast SUNS are pleased to announce its 2025 Member Team of the Year, recognising 23 of the club’s most dedicated members.

The lucky 23 members will have the opportunity to participate in a money-can’t-buy game day experience this Saturday in the Round 23 match against GWS at People First Stadium, a match-worn guernsey of the SUNS AFL player they are matched with for the match as well as a SUNS merchandise pack.

Take a look below at the 23 members named in the 2025 SUNS Member Team of the Year.  

Cherrene Palmer (captain)

Cherrene is one of the Gold Coast cheersquad leaders, and drags her family along to banner make each week! Happily giving a night of her week every week to ensure the Team have a Run Through Banner each week. You can find Cherrene waving a 3x3 flag and screaming her lungs out behind the goals every week. Cherrene is the 2025 Member Team of the Year Captain.

Mitchell Powell

Mitch is the South Australian Cheer Squad Leader and a fearless SUNS Member. This year he was diagnosed with choroidal melanoma/uveal melanoma, a rare eye cancer, and has undergone three surgeries this year. Mitch packed some his 2025 SUNS members gear to help him stay fearless in hospital, and to cheer the boys on against Fremantle earlier in the season. (probably via a radio though).  With a nice view of the Adelaide Oval from his room, Mitch is looking forward to hopefully recovering with minimal problems and seeing the boys in action again this season.

Zach Hammond

Zarch is the epitomy of Fearless. Spending too much of the season already bravely fighting cancer at the Children's Hospital, he dons his red & gold every week and cheers on the boys from his bed. You've got this Zach, Never Give Up!

Jason Rodriquez

Even if you don't know Jason, you'll absolutely know his voice! Cheering his lungs out every home game. If driving the family to every home game, for the past four years, all the way from Caloundra, battling horrible traffic and often getting home after midnight isn't dedication enough, on his trip to The North Pole to visit Santa, Jason even made sure to bring some SUNS gear for Santa!

Jacinta Moore

Jacinta has been a fan since the inception of the SUNS. Becoming a member in their second year, her two-year-old daughter has been trained well and loves cheering on the SUNS in her pink gear. Jacinta is a huge fan and is so excited to see the team playing well and hopefully making finals this year!

Dylan Hayes

Dylan is a proud member of the SUNSCREAMERS and loves helping out with making the banner each week along with helping to raise it on game days!

Zac Melling

Zac loves repping as much gear as possible for every game, shouting and screaming to get the boys over the line! No matter what the occasion, the gear comes out, it's safe to say he might have one of the largest collections of merch there is!

James Honeysett

James is a member of the VIC SUNS Cheersquad and proudly holds up his indigenous flag that he designed at every Victorian game. He loves this club and everyone on this Cheersqaud. It's where he wants to be all the time, he calls it his happy place, and we couldn't agree more.

Andrew Richards

Andrew has been die harding the SUNS since day one! He travelled to Geelong for the first ever night game at the cattery and the little master’s return to Geelong. Andrew’s best mates Nan had never meet someone so tall and said she thought he must be the biggest fan of all. Nothing but a fearless approach to head deep in the enemy’s territory and take on the Cats.

Justin Becker

As a Diehard supporter since Day 1, one of Justin's favourite memories is his first Guard of Honour with his daughter and son!

Ali Orchard

This family loves the SUNS! Every away game when we they are watching at home they decorate the house and make sure the whole family is in the correct SUNS colours including their two fur babies.

Jai Kosir

Jai is a self-classified SUNS member for life! He took his German Grandpa to his first AFL match in Australia and has hardly missed a SUNS match at home since they joined the comp.

Maverick Hitchenson

There really is no bigger fan than this little guy! Loved the SUNS since he could walk, through all the ups and downs! He asks us everyday if today is the day he's old enough to join the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy...only a few short years to go! Dream big!

Michele Zeinert

Supporters from the start! Michelle enjoyed her 10-year Member Anniversary in the Member's Bar!

Henry McCormack

Henry is the unoffical Gold Coast SUNS artist! Creating a beautiful handmade portrait of every player on the list, plus Dimma! Henry did a combination of all the SUNS guernseys in his book, and even had it printed and bound and dropped off for the team – a fearless effort.

Emily Kemp

Emily is a proud Gold Coast SUNS member and is also a fearless friend, heavily involved with her local footy club and always encouraging the players and parents to get down to People First Stadium and cheer on the team.

Chanel Bailey

In the Bailey household it's hard to pick who the biggest fan is! But as the boss, Chanel takes the cake this year. Chanel and her two kids attend all home games decked out head-to-toe in SUNS gear, if you look closely enough you might even see a very special number shaved into Luca's head! Chanel is a very cool Mum.

Liam Crawley

Liam is a foundation member, and loves coming to the game with his daughters. He has supported the SUNS throughout the club’s existence and is so excited to see how deep into September the boys can make it this year.

Xavier Eptis

Xavier might not the oldest SUNS fan, but he is definitely one of the loudest! A super passionate SUNS fan who also plays footy himself.

Jayden DeRuyter

Jayden was lucky enough to meet Matt Rowell and Ben King at Ormeau Bulldogs training – they are of course his two favourite players. Jayden loves AFL and the SUNS, he goes to all home games and away anytime he can! He loves coming down to every open training sessions and getting all his AFL cards signed by the players.

Ben Holmes

Ben and his little daughter Olive travelled from Perth to Geelong in the rain, all rugged up with their SUNS gear ready to cheer on the SUNS in enemy territory. A die-hard supporter!

Russell Kimber

You haven't seen a garage bar until you've seen Russell's! A perfect and very fitting shrine to the mighty Gold Coast SUNS!

Max Butterworth

Max is seven years old and a mad SUNS Fan. He is a Victorian-based SUNS member and  is very excited to soon make the trip to the Gold Coast to watch the team play at the fortress. Max was at the VFL Grand Final when the SUNS won against Werribee in 2023, and has had the chance to also meet Max was Gold Coast SUNS CEO Mark Evans and Matt Rowell’s Dad!