The 2017 AFL New Zealand Premiers, the Southern Saints have announced that they will add Auckland based New Zealand representative players, Michael Boyce, Andriu Sucu and Carlos Donnell-Brown to their retained players list for the 2018 AFL New Zealand Premiership.
The players classify as Retained Players List (RPL) 2 which is the retention of Auckland based New Zealand Senior Representatives. (Up to 3 players can be retained).
Michael Boyce
Michael Boyce returns to the Saints in 2018 and will be his third year as captain. He led the Premiership side to their first ever AFL New Zealand Premiership in 2017 and hails this as his best memory of his 13 year playing career of AFL in NZ.
First representing New Zealand at the 2004 Ron Barassi U16 Tournament, the key defender is a smart and tough footy player who also plays for the Mt Roskill Saints in the Auckland AFL.
Andriu Sucu
2017 AFL New Zealand Premiership Player of the Year Andriu Sucu has been retained by the Southern Saints in a Player/Coach role for the 2018 season.
His performance in the backline for the Saints in 2017 earned him the trophy and joined his younger brother Brandon as the first two recipients to hold the award as best player in the competition.
Playing the sport since 2005 as a 15 year old for the North Shore Tigers in the Auckland AFL, Andriu’s height and strength along with his knowledge of the game makes his a top choice to remain at the Saints in 2018.
Carlos Donnell-Brown
19 year old Carlos ‘The Weapon’ Donnell-Brown will remain at the Southern Saints in 2018.
In his short time playing AFL, Carlos Donnell-Brown has won the National AFL Cup Secondary Schools Competition with Green Bay High School, won the 2016 Auckland AFL League with the Waitakere Magpies in an undefeated season, he is an NPC winner, played for the NZ Academy Level 2, U18’s (Captain) and Senior sides and was a member of the victorious 2017 AFL New Zealand Premiership Southern Saints side.
Recently returning from the 2017 International Cup, his accomplishments at still such a young age shows that Carlos has a bright future in the AFL New Zealand community.
