Suns milestone man pays tribute to Gold Coast stalwarts

Suns forward Alex Sexton is humbled to be joining David Swallow and Jarrod Harbrow in the Gold Coast 150-game club.

A Suns zone selection in the 2011 AFL draft, 27-year-old Sexton reaches the appearance milestone in Saturday’s QClash at the Gabba.

“My mindset has been team first – I still believe that to this day,” he said.

“As soon as I walked in the doors, I was ready to play any position as long as I get my chance.”

It’s a Suns-first attitude similar to that of Sexton’s role models, Swallow and Harbrow.

“When you talk about care for each other and care for the footy club, those are the two names I think most in the locker room would say,” he said.

“(Harbrow) is an extremely humble man who loves his family and loves his mates – I’ve learnt a lot off him.

“And David with his care and being a very approachable person, I feel like I want to strive to be that type of person for my friends.”

Alex Sexton is set to make his 150th appearance for the Gold Coast Suns. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Sexton debuted for the Suns as a teenager in 2012 in a 44-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in Darwin, and had the AFL fixture not been changed, Darwin would also have been the location for his 150th match.

Instead, a grateful Sexton can celebrate the occasion in front of family and friends at the Gabba.

“I’m just happy that I get to have some family there and friends there when other guys (achieving) milestones might not be able to have that opportunity this weekend,” he said.

“I’m extremely lucky to be in that situation and it’s going to be a good game.

“(My family) love watching me run out probably more than I love running out.

“They’re a crazy footy family and I love them to bits. This is why I do it.”

Sexton admitted his journey to 150 games had been a “different one”, but the sometimes rocky road had been worth it.

“I’m extremely happy to reach this milestone, especially for a football club who gave me an opportunity straight out of high school,” he said.

“It’s been a bit of a tough route with injuries early on, but I’ve built some resilience in my body and been able to play some consistent AFL footy.

“I think I’ve played every position bar ruck in my career so far, so I’m happy to get to this milestone at a club where only a couple have done it.”

Source: Read Full Article