Joel Jeffrey’s career-best form in 2025 is helping shape one of the league’s fiercest defence lines.

The dynamic Territorian wasn’t always on the SUNS’ defensive horizon though, playing the majority of his formative seasons in the forward line. 

After earning opportunities behind the ball in 2024, he has since seamlessly slotted into Damien Hardwick’s masterplan following Charlie Ballard’s pre-season ACL injury.

“When I got the opportunity to step up in the first round, I wanted to put my best foot forward and grab the opportunity with two hands and go from there,” Jeffrey emphasised.

“I could always do great things with the footy, offensively, but defensively, I just had to improve my game.”

Over the last few seasons, the electric forward has trained hard to transition into his new role, ultimately earning him a spot in every game of the 2025 season so far.

“Working on my defensive game has been a big improvement, it's been keeping me in my spot in the back line so far,” the Indigenous All Star added.

“I’ve also got great trust from my teammates.”

06:09

RD15 | Jeffrey "Everyone's freshened up and ready to go against GWS."

Joel Jeffrey speaks to Media about the bye week and the team's form heading into this weekend's game against GWS.

More than two weeks since their last clash against Geelong, the SUNS return to battle this Sunday, to face GWS in The Expansion Cup.

Last defeating the Giants in 2021, the Gold Coast will be chasing more than redemption this round - a historic first win at Engie Stadium.  

Jeffrey and the SUNS’ defensive unit will play a major role taking down the in–form Giants, who are currently hot on the Gold Coast’s heels on the ladder.

“Everyone's freshened up and ready to go against GWS,” the key defender said.

“We just want to go there and play our best footy and hopefully we get our first win there.

“We're going to stick to our game plan and not focus on them too much. We’ll focus on what we've been doing, because we've been great all season and just keep doing what's been working for us.”

“It's an important time at the back end of the season, we want to push for finals for the first time in club history and we're on a great track to do that.”

Catch all the action of The Expansion Cup this Sunday on Fox Footy, Kayo and 7mate (Queensland only). First bounce is at 1.10pm.