All four AFL New Zealand Premiership teams have announced their overseas retained players for the upcoming 2018 AFL New Zealand Premiership.
Brandon Sucu – Southern Saints
Brisbane based Brandon Sucu will remain at the Southern Saints for the 2018 AFL New Zealand Premiership.
The 23 year old Fullback who originally hails from Auckland’s North Shore was the inaugural recipient of the AFL New Zealand Premiership Best and Fairest Award in 2016. The defender was also named the 2017 AFL New Zealand Player of the Year at the annual High Performance Awards in Wellington.
A move to Brisbane at the start of 2017, Brandon now plays for the Wilston Grange Football Club and represented New Zealand at his first AFL International Cup in August this year.
Brendan Clark – Central Giants
Brendan Clark is currently aligned with Hinterland Footy Club on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and has been involved with the Darwin Buffaloes Football Club in the Northern Territory.
Clark is a strong marking forward who has the experience to get the better of his opposition.
A member of the past three International Cups campaigns, Clark will return home during the AFL New Zealand Premiership and will represent the Giants for the third straight season.
Brendan will join fellow New Zealand representatives Craig Morgan, Josh Cunliffe, Harison Manks and new Captain Sam McKenzie who have already been announced as the retained players.
Adam Simpson – Western Crows
The Western Crows will have the services of New Zealand defender Adam Simpson for the 2018 AFL New Zealand Premeirship.
Currently based in Brisbane, Adam plays for the Springwood Australian Football Club in the QAFL, and first debuted for New Zealand in 2013.
Simpson first started playing the game in Christchurch before moving up to Auckland and winning the 2008 Auckland AFL with the North Shore Tigers.
Adam is a solid key defender with a booming kick and with his experience at International Cup Level, he will provide key advice to the younger playing group at the Crows..
Michael Gregson – Northern Suns
Michael Gregson will return to the Northern Suns list for the 2018 AFL New Zealand Premiership.
The hard running midfielder played a number of games last season and made a big impact in the Suns three point victory over the Southern Saints in Round five.
Based out of Melbourne, Gregson will add to the list of former New Zealand representatives in the Suns squad as they strive for their maiden Premiership.
All overseas players will be utilised dependent on availability and Australian team based commitments.
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2018 AFLNZ Premiership retained players list explained
