Black becomes inaugural Sun

THE Surf Coast Suns has locked away a former AFL player as its first senior football recruit for the 2026 season.

Former North Melbourne and Geelong Cats forward Aaron Black will wear Suns colours in their first season in the Bellarine Football Netball League next year.

Black played 57 games of AFL between 2011-2018, kicking 69 goals across his two clubs.

He then went on to co-captain the Geelong Cats VFL side and became part of the coaching team for the Geelong Cats inaugural AFLW side.

Black has also had stints at St Joseph’s in the Geelong Football Netball League and at Modewarre in the Bellarine Football Netball League.

 

He is presently working in coaching and development at the Geelong Cats in both an AFL and VFL capacity.

Black said he was rapt to be an inaugural Sun.

“Since I moved to Torquay nine years ago, we’ve lived in the neighbouring area of the Suns oval. It’s where my little fella started Auskick last year.

“It’s a huge population area, Auskick and junior numbers are really big so it’s a great time for the club to come in with a senior team.

“I can’t wait to get there and to get into it in any phase, whether it be on-field and off-field.

“Hopefully we can have a good year and build from next year onwards… I’m really excited to be part of it.”

Black will lean on his day-job experience with the Cats and assist the Suns in recruiting players for 2026 and beyond. Surf Coast Suns president Jay Williams said Black’s signature was a big coup for the club.

“Aaron is someone I’ve been chatting with since halfway through last year and he was always keen to help out.

“His son is going to play Under 9’s as well, and he wants to play in the same jumper as his son.

“He’s really invested, and having an ex-AFL player is going to be awesome. It’s going to generate some interest and momentum for us.

“He’s got heaps of experience that is going to add so much to not only our playing group, but just as a Suns person as someone who is committed to being here for a while.”

Williams said the club would be rolling out more player announcements in the coming weeks and months.

“This year is just so good and exciting; it’s been so much fun building it up,. Getting the boys on the park is getting closer and closer and excitement levels are really high.”