Retired Gold Coast icon David Swallow will remain in Queensland following his long-serving stint with the Suns, having signed with QAFL club Surfers Paradise for the 2026 season.
Swallow called time on his club record 249 games for Gold Coast prior to the club's maiden finals series, which the 33-year-old would prove to be defining in, kicking the match-winning score in an elimination final victory over Fremantle.
A Pick 1 selection out of Western Australia, Swallow won best and fairest honours at Carrara in 2014 before captaining the Suns from 2019-2021.
The veteran utility will now suit up for Surfers Paradise next year, with the Demons announcing the "landmark moment" on Friday.
"We are absolutely thrilled — and deeply honoured — to welcome Dave Swallow to Surfers Paradise for the 2026 season," a club post read.
"A Gold Coast icon and former SUNS skipper, Dave was the club's first-ever draft pick (Pick 1, 2010) and one of its longest-serving players. He captained the SUNS alongside Jarrod Witts in 2019–2021, later handing the reins to Touk Miller, and earned SUNS Life Membership after a stellar career that reached the 200-game milestone in 2023.
"Across 15 seasons and 249 AFL games, he built a reputation as a fearless, ball-winning inside mid who leads by example.
"This is a landmark moment for our club. Dave's elite standards, professionalism, and genuine love of the contest will lift the bar for everyone in red and blue."
The Demons finished third on the QAFL ladder in 2025, winning 13 of 18 matches in the home and away season before falling to Redland in the grand final.
Surfers Paradise was home to Swallow's ex-teammates Zac Smith and Hugh Greenwod, as well as former Adelaide and Brisbane player Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, this year.
