When Lachie Weller runs out onto Perth Stadium, he’ll be part of a history-making Gold Coast side \u2014 the first in the club’s history to play in an AFL final.<\/p>\n
But for Weller it carries extra significance, as he will be playing the side that drafted him back in 2014, and he’s overcome serious hurdles just to still be running around in the league.<\/p>\n
In 2022, he ruptured the ACL in his right knee, and underwent a reconstruction, which kept him out of the game for 10 months.<\/p>\n
Then just nine games into his return from injury in 2023, he suffered another rupture, and had a second reconstruction.<\/p>\n
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Lachie Weller missed 10 months with his first knee injury, before suffering another one in 2023. (AAP Image\/Jono Searle)<\/p>\n
“It is such a long injury to be out with, I didn’t know if I could get back and play,” Weller said.<\/p>\n
“Even to the point where I didn’t know if I wanted to get back and play.<\/p>\n
“It was a pretty challenging couple of years, but I’m super pumped to have stuck it out and really proud of myself to be back out there.”<\/p>\n
Weller only played 15 games across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but has managed that figure this year alone.<\/p>\n
Long wait finally over<\/p>\n
Weller debuted for the Dockers in 2015, after being selected with pick 13 the previous year, but he wasn’t selected for the side’s finals campaign.<\/p>\n
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Weller has played 15 games in 2025, the same number he managed in 2023 and 2024 combined<\/p>\n
He then played every game in 2016 and 2017 before being traded to Gold Coast in exchange for pick two, in a move widely criticised as being too high a cost for the Suns.<\/p>\n
110 games later, and he’s about to play finals for the first time in his 10-year career.<\/p>\n
“When I first came over here I obviously wanted to play finals for the Suns and it’s taken a long time,” Weller said.<\/p>\n
“There’s been a lot of guys who have been at the club for a long time that have wanted this.<\/p>\n
“We’ve dreamt of this for so long.”Farewelling Fyfe<\/p>\n
For the Suns to keep their dreams of a maiden Premiership alive, they will have to end the dreams of one of the game’s greats.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Weller played with Fremantle great Nat Fyfe for three years, and will now play against him in his final game in Perth. (AAP Image\/Joe Castro)<\/p>\n
Fremantle midfielder Nat Fyfe will be playing his final game in Perth, and if they lose, his final AFL game.<\/p>\n
“I loved Fyfey when I was at the club, and I’ve still kept in touch with him,” Weller said.<\/p>\n
“He’s a great player and he’s had a great career, so it’s pretty special I get to play his last game maybe, and definitely his last game in Perth.<\/p>\n
“It’s pretty special to celebrate his career, but hopefully we spoil it.”<\/p>\n
The original Sun<\/p>\n
The end of Fyfe’s career coincides with the potential end of the original Gold Coast Sun.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
David Swallow is the last remaining inaugural Sun, and has played a record 247 games without ever featuring in a final. (AAP Image\/Dave Hunt)<\/p>\n
David Swallow was the club’s first ever selection, taken with pick one in 2010, and has played 247 games, but never in a final.<\/p>\n
It’s the AFL’s longest streak, which could be ended if he’s picked by Damian Hardwick for Saturday night’s game.<\/p>\n
“He’s given everything to this football club,” Weller said of the veteran.<\/p>\n
“If you speak to Dave, he’s just happy to be part of it, if he plays or not.<\/p>\n
“But to run out with him would be pretty special.”<\/p>\n