Former Docker Michael Barlow has agreed to join the Gold Coast SUNS as a delisted free agent.

Barlow joins the club after playing 126 games for Fremantle since making his debut in the opening round of the 2010 AFL Season.

The 28-year-old midfielder finished in the top ten of the Docker’s Best & Fairest Award this year despite playing just 13 matches.

The contested ball magnet averaged 24 disposals this season, including a career-best 43 touches against Port Adelaide in round 13 at Domain Stadium.

Barlow said he is now looking forward to extending his AFL career, and helping the team win the respect of the Gold Coast and the wider competition.

“The opportunity that arose and the presentation Marcus Ashcroft and Rodney Eade put to me was at the high end and the demographic of the group as well,” he said.

“I’m just super excited to come to a group that sees real worth for my attributes.”

“As I said the demographic of the group, we’re going to have four picks inside the top 20 and some players that showed some real growth last year as well as the inclusions of guys like Lyons, Hanley and Witts.”

Barlow confirmed the club’s exciting future played a key role in his decision to cross the Nullarbor.

“From the outside looking in the past but now being entrenched in it there’s a real excitement around the group speaking to guys like David Swallow, Michael Rischitelli, they can’t speak highly enough of where this club’s going and the dynamics of it internally,” Barlow said.

“There’s perception but then there’s reality, and I take what Rischitelli, Rosa and all that tell me on face value and can’t wait to crack in and get to work as early as the 21st of November and enjoy becoming a Queenslander for at least the next two years.”

Barlow joins fellow recruits Pearce Hanley, Jarrod Witts and Jarryd Lyons who joined the SUNS via the trade & exchange period.