The Gold Coast SUNS can confirm several changes to its AFLW playing list, with six players to depart the club following the 2025 season.
Ella Maurer, Wallis Randell, Ella Smith, Keely Fullerton, Tayla Gregory and Taya Oliver have been advised they will not be offered contracts for 2026.
Maurer played a new role in Rhyce Shaw’s defence this season after playing previous seasons as a medium forward. The 23-year-old departs after 23 games across the past three years in the Sunshine State.
StreetSmarts SUNS Academy product and Mackay local Randell joined the SUNS with pick 61 in the 2020 NAB AFLW Draft after transitioning from basketball to football. Randell played 42 games over six seasons with the Gold Coast SUNS.
Smith joined the SUNS from the Brisbane Lions at the end of 2023 and went on to feature in four games in her first season as a SUN before playing a further 12 matches in 2025.
Fullerton and Oliver were both drafted to the SUNS in 2023 before debuting in rounds 5 and 6 respectively. In 2025, Fullerton featured in three matches for the Gold Coast, while Oliver donned the SUNS colours twice.
Gregory made the leap from QAFLW to the AFLW during the pre-season as an injury replacement player. The mature-aged ruck was one of five Gold Coast debutants in Round 1 and went on to serve the SUNS in a further four fixtures.
Gold Coast SUNS Head of Women’s Football Fiona Sessarago thanked all six players for their service to the club.
“We would like to thank Wallis, Tayla, Ella, Keely, Taya and Ella for their individual contributions and commitments to the Gold Coast SUNS,” Sessarago said.
“Wallis has been an integral member of our club for many years, progressing through our academy and on to our list.
“The girls have all been important contributors to our club in recent seasons, and we wish them all the best in their next chapters both on and off the field.”
