Gold Coast Suns gun Daisy D’Arcy has warned the competition her side is not here just to make up the numbers as it prepares for a home AFLW final this weekend.

It has been a year to remember for the Townsville product who missed all of the 2025 season through an ACL injury but bounced back in style with a stunning campaign, featuring in all but one game.

D’Arcy may only be 23, but she is already one of the more experienced members of the young squad with 61 games to her name.

She has taken to her role as a senior member like a duck to water and has her sights set on helping the Suns reach the holy grail after penning a new two-year contract extension.

“I just think it’s pretty incredible, we are a young group, but I think the maturity that the girls have shown and the growth that they’re continuing to make is really exciting,” D’Arcy said.

“It’s pretty scary for the comp.”

The club has gone through a stunning ascension after claiming three wins across the previous two years.

One of the key pillars to the rise has been the appointment of Rhyce Shaw as head coach, who played a pivotal role in supporting D’Arcy during her recovery in 2025.

“Shawry’s a very special human and I’m very grateful that he is our coach,” D’Arcy said.

“He’s been so helpful for me in my rehab, in supporting me and being patient and waiting for me to get back to my best.

“I’ll forever be grateful for that, he’s just so good for this group, he’s a true leader.

“He was a footballer and his knowledge is unbelievable.

“It’s really, really special that we get to look onto him and learn from him as our head coach.”

D’Arcy is one of only a handful of players still at the Suns from the last time they were in the finals in 2023, when Sydney claimed a 17-point win at People First Stadium.

Now, as Gold Coast returns home for a blockbuster clash on Sunday against Hawthorn, D’Arcy is determined to right those wrongs under the finals spotlight.

“That (2023 game) was pretty special,” she said.

“I was probably at the age of some of the girls now.

“I just remember that being pretty cool, being at home was something truly special, and it’s pretty cool to have that chance again.

“Hopefully a different result would be pretty cool, but the girls have worked so hard and really deserve it.”

Originally published as Gold Coast Suns AFLW gun Daisy D’Arcy caps off return from injury with new two-year contract