Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick confirmed a finals fairytale for club icon David Swallow, after he revealed the former Pick 1 would play on Saturday against Fremantle.
Swallow holds the V/AFL record for most games without any September action, remaining loyal to the Suns for the past 15 years.
He was a part of the club's inaugural side in 2011, and after 247 games, will feature in Gold Coast's first final, the same week he announced his retirement.
"The man will play," Hardwick said on AFL360.
"We're not giving him a game. He's earned the game. He's been an outstanding contributor to our football club.
"He stayed when others left - he optimises what our footy club is built on the back of.
EXCLUSIVE!
Damien Hardwick announces on AFL360 that David Swallow WILL PLAY in the @GoldCoastSUNS first ever final.
📺 Watch #AFL360 on Ch. 504 or stream via @kayosports: https://t.co/7kvglvpWSC pic.twitter.com/pTQwQkYUlE
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) September 2, 2025
"He's earned the right to play a finals game... he'll go well.
"Emotion can go one of two ways: you can either go over the top, or it can inspire.
"I think our players can only benefit from that buzz and that excitement, and we'll play for him, no question."
Swallow had topped the likes of St Kilda pair Trevor Barker (230 games) and Geoff Cunningham (224 games) for the most matches without a final, but this record is set to come to an end.
His teammates, Touk Miller (212) and Jarrod Witts (203), will also abolish their unwanted record against the Dockers.
It will be fitting that Swallow will run out for his first finals campaign in his last year as an AFL player, joining long-time servant Sean Lemmens farewelling the club.
"I firstly want to say how thankful I am to the footy club and everyone who's here today, and all the people that have come before me," Swallow said in a team meeting.
"This club gave me a chance a long time ago. I'll forever be indebted to the Suns and am so thankful for the opportunities this club has afforded me and my family.
"I've spent my whole adult life here, had two beautiful kids in that time and share a lot of wonderful memories with so many people.
"We've got the biggest game in the club's history this weekend, and I feel like it's just the beginning for us. I've waited my whole career to get to this point, and I'm proud to still be here and get to be a part of that.
"It's just the beginning for this team and this club."
Inaugural Suns coach Guy McKenna was in awe of Swallow's achievement as a player.
"The reason I'm getting emotional, that he'd be the first to say, don't pick me for emotions sake," McKenna said on Zero Hanger's podcast Hanging' Out.
"I suspect he'd say, 'don't pick me for any reason. I have to earn my spot,' because the club is before him.
"That was his mantra. He trained like a man in a boy's body. He reminds me of John Worsfold, who is Clark Kent. Superman on the field, Clark Kent off the field.
"Junior was no different. Such a combative person at the contest, and a fearsome competitor. He'd equally work just as hard off the field at the gym, recovery, all those things.
"I wouldn't have blamed him for leaving, but for Junior to stay on, and go through what he's been through. Be club captain and live through the early days, and see where it is now. I dip my lid to him. I'm so proud and honoured, obviously run out in the finals series."
Top 10 Most AFL games without a final (All-time)
David Swallow* (Gold Coast) 247 games
Trevor Barker (St Kilda) - 230Geoff Cunningham (St Kilda) - 224Gary Hardeman (Melbourne) - 219Touk Miller* (Gold Coast) - 212Jack Newnes (St Kilda/Carlton) - 207Jarrod Witts* (Collingwood/Gold Coast) - 203Steven Smith (Melbourne) - 203Ted Pool (Hawthorn) - 200Lynden Dunn (Melbourne/Collingwood) - 198
Top 10 Most AFL games without a final (Current)
David Swallow* (Gold Coast) - 247 gamesTouk Miller*(Gold Coast) - 212Jarrod Witts* (Collingwood/Gold Coast) - 203Alex Sexton (Gold Coast) - 186Jy Simpkin (North Melbourne) - 173Sam Day* (Gold Coast/Brisbane) - 167Ben Keays* (Brisbane/Adelaide) - 159Lachie Weller (Fremantle/Gold Coast) - 159Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast) - 156Darcy Tucker (Fremantle/North Melbourne) 156
* = Set to play first final this weekend.
