Jarrod Witts Biography

Jarrod Witts signs a two-year contract extension with Gold Coast, tying him to the club until at least the end of 2026.

Gold Coast will head into 2022 with Touk Miller to join Jarrod Witts to serve as co-captains of the club.

The change comes after David Swallow stepped down from the captaincy following four years at the helm alongside Witts.

Sam Collins is the vice-captain, while Swallow will be joined by third-year midfielder Noah Anderson, Sean Lemmens and Nick Holman in the seven-man leadership group.

Jarrod Witts will shoulder Gold Coast's ruck load to start the 2021 season after injuries to fellow big men on the Suns' list.

"Wittsy, we'll back that across the course of the game he'll be really consistent for us and that's all we're asking from him, to be consistent, give our guys as good a use as he can and try and dictate where that ball goes," Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew said.

Sam Collins wins his first Gold Coast Club Champion award for 2020 with 339 votes ahead of vice-captain Touk Miller (335) and co-captain Jarrod Witts (327).

The 26-year-old played all 17 games and finished the year ranked second in the league for intercept possessions, averaging 7.1 per game and fifth for intercept marks.

Jarrod Witts has taken his game to a new level in 2020, quietly becoming one of the best ruckmen in the competition.

"Like anyone, I'm just searching for that consistency," Witts said.

"I'm trying to take more contested marks and have better body positioning for that long-down-the-line kick, so I can bring the ball to ground or not get outmarked. I think I've improved in that area, but I also want to have more impact around the ball, that's where I think I can help the team most."

Touk Miller will again serve as vice-captain for the Suns in 2020 under co-captains Jarrod Witts and David Swallow, while Brayden Fiorini, Alex Sexton and new addition Sam Collins round out the six-man leadership group.

Jarrod Witts undergoes surgery on a left foot injury but is expected to be available for round one of the 2020 season.

"It was a really innocuous and unfortunate incident for Jarrod," Suns general manager of football operations Jon Haines said.

Jarrod Witts is named Gold Coast's 2019 club champion, capping off an outstanding 12 months for the towering ruckman.

Witts tallied 553 votes to be well clear of his fellow Suns vice-captain David Swallow (417) who finished second.

Stuart Dew reveals the special bond between co-captain Jarrod Witts and returning deputy Pearce Hanley that has helped the Irishman through a difficult time in his life.

Hanley has dealt with both personal and physical problems since leaving Brisbane in 2016 including losing his younger brother to cancer in 2017.

"We can't really even put ourselves in that space because, well ... I certainly haven't experienced anything like that," Dew said.

"It shows a good support and Jarrod Witts has been fantastic for him. They live together and I think just having him there is a, I don't know if it's brother or father figure, I'll let them work that out, but they're good for each other.

"Jarrod's partner, Renee, they've helped him through this. He loves his footy. It's frustrating because he's a really important part of our side and exciting to watch."

Through seven rounds in 2019, Jarrod Witts has attended a staggering 598 ruck contests, significantly more than any other ruckman in the competition thus far.

"I did a fair body of work knowing this was coming. We play a high-stoppage game, so it's something I've prepared for and am really comfortable doing," Witts said.

"I think that's how I can be most effective for the team and the role I feel most comfortable in. That's where the team needs me."

Gold Coast appoints David Swallow and Jarrod Witts as co-captains for the 2019 season.

Witts and Swallow will form a new look eight-man leadership group that includes Touk Miller and Pearce Hanley as vice-captains and Alex Sexton, Jarrod Harbrow, Brayden Fiorini and George Horlin-Smith.

"It's very humbling. It's quite a proud moment for myself," Swallow said.

"I'm really confident with the program and the leaders underneath that we'll see success in the near future."

Jarrod Witts signs a five-year deal with Gold Coast to remain at the club until the end of 2024.

"I've got full trust in the coaching group and have a lot of love for the boys," Witts said.

"I think there's a sense of full collective buy-in from all parts of the footy club.

"We've got a list with no egos, everyone just gets on with the job, there's zero push-back."

Second-year Sun and ruckman Jarrod Witts will captain Gold Coast against Melbourne this week following the departure of Tom Lynch and the suspension of Steven May.

Tom Lynch and Steven May will again co-captain Gold Coast in 2018.

Ruckman Jarrod Witts and midfielder Pearce Hanley have been added to a leadership group that again contains David Swallow, Matt Rosa, Michael Barlow and Touk Miller.

Michael Rischitelli has stepped aside from the role.

"Both Tom and Steven have been extremely invested in the program since my arrival," Suns head coach Stuart Dew said.

"The eight-man leadership group will work closely with myself and the entire football department to ensure we can create an environment that is aligned to our values and provides the best possible opportunity for growth both on and off the field."

Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade praises Jarrod Witts for standing up during a tough season for the Suns in 2017.

"He's really been one shining light for us this year," Eade said.

"His ability to win the ball in the air and then get around the ground - I don't think there's many times he's been beaten this year. He seems to go under the radar, especially among Melbourne media, but I think he's been one of the better ruckmen in the competition."

After getting through his first full game for Gold Coast unscathed, Jarrod Witts says he never wants to experience a recurrence of of his hand injury again.

"You can't really lie flat. I used to sleep on my stomach and my side so you have to sort of lay on the 45 (degree angle) with your arm in the sling for about six weeks," Witts said of his time recovering from a post-season operation.

"It's pretty much learning to sleep on your back."

Jarrod Witts will wear protection on his hand to ensure he doesn't split the webbing for a third time in less than 12 months.

The 24-year-old visited a hand therapist during the week to be fitted with the protective gear after being forced to have the hand operated on soon after he injured it during the first pre-season game against the Brisbane Lions.

It was the second time the former Magpie had split the webbing in the same spot within a year, with Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft saying the club is keen to ensure it doesn't become a recurring problem for Witts.

"He went into hospital so we made sure it was cleaned out and we had no risk of infection," Ashcroft said.

Witts missed five weeks last season when his hand became infected after splitting the webbing while playing for Collingwood in round one against the Sydney Swans.

Jarrod Witts is traded to the Gold Coast by Collingwood in exchange for picks 44 and 62 in the national draft.

"Jarrod was keen to join the Suns and his relationship with Rocket (Eade) was part of the reason behind him selecting us as his desired destination," Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"We believe Jarrod has development in him and his addition will generate strong competition for the ruck role in 2017 and beyond."

The Brisbane Lions are eyeing out-of-contract Collingwood ruckman Jarrod Witts as they look to bolster their big man department at the end of the year.

Witts has struggled to break into the Magpies' line-up this year, featuring in just two games and falling behind American import Mason Cox in the club's ruck preferences.

The Lions are one of several clubs believed to have the 23-year-old on their recruiting radar as they deal with a shortage of ruck options.

Jarrod Witts said he made sure he set the record straight with coach Nathan Buckley and football manager Neil Balme after being linked to a trade with Carlton for Matthew Kreuzer.

"Bucks, Balmey and I had a meeting when there was speculation when Kreuzer was going to come to Collingwood," Witts told the club's website.

"And I said that, 'I'm still a contracted player at Collingwood and I still believe I've got a lot to offer this club and I want to stay at the club and I love the club and what it's done for me.'

"(I told them) 'I've still got something to prove.'"

Jarrod Witts sees his upcoming battle with giant Docker Aaron Sandilands as an opportunity to stamp himself as the Magpies' No.1 ruckman.

"I played against (Shane) Mumford last week (against Greater Western Sydney in round 11) and he was a quality opponent," Witts said.

"Now I've got another chance to come up against the best again this week. It's a great opportunity for me to put my hand up as the No.1 ruckman in this team."

After a delayed start to the season due to off-season shoulder surgery, Witts believes he is starting to reach peak condition approaching his sixth game in 2015.

"It took me a little longer than I was expecting," Witts said.

"I had a few hiccups along the way but the strength is there in my shoulder and I'm feeling more confident with it."

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says the ball is back in Brodie Grundy's court if he wants to reclaim the No.1 ruck role at the Magpies from teammate Jarrod Witts.

"Competition for spots is a massive part of players pushing each other to reach new levels, and Jarrod [Witts] was tested with that with Brodie stepping up," Buckley said.

"He has answered the challenge, and the ball is in Brodie's court to answer it."

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says his heated confrontation with Jarrod Witts in Saturday's loss to Hawthorn was a calculated "prickle" designed to wake up his young ruckman.

Buckley grabbed a hand full of Witts' jumper on the sidelines and delivered a forceful message late in the third quarter after the Hawks went on a four-goal run that floored the Magpies.

"It was designed as a prickle … it was designed to really challenge him and wake him up in some ways," Buckley said.

"I've got great belief in what he's going to be capable of achieving, [but] I don't think he shares that belief at the moment.

"We're getting about 85 per cent of what he's capable of right now, and there's gold in that last 15 per cent.

"If you're saying was there emotion involved, yes there was, it's an emotional game. But I was fairly calculated in my approach to 'Wittsy'."

Jarrod Witts makes his AFL debut for Collingwood at Docklands Stadium with 5 disposals (2 kicks and 3 handballs), 4 marks, a tackle and 5 hitouts in a 26-point win over St Kilda.

Jamie Elliott and Jarrod Witts sign new deals to stay at Collingwood for two and three years respectively.

"Jamie, with almost 20 games under his belt now, is becoming one of the bright young players in the competition," Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

Nathan Buckley says ruckman Jarrod Witts is ready for senior football in 2013.

"We feel that Jarrod Witts is ready to dip his toe and find out what League footy is all about so it's going to be big year for him," Buckley said.