Suns forward suspended for AFL opening round

Jed Walter kicked two goals in the loss to Brisbane but was also reported and subsequently banned. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Gold Coast's Jed Walter will miss the opening round of the AFL season after he was handed a one-match ban for rough conduct.

Walter crashed into the Brisbane Lions' Zane Zakostelsky with a late bump during the Suns' pre-season loss to their Queensland rivals on Thursday.

The incident was assessed as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.

It means Walter will miss Gold Coast's season-opener against Geelong at People First Stadium on March 6.

Jed Walter has been offered a one-match suspension for rough conduct following this incident with Zane Zakostelsky.

Full Match Review findings: https://t.co/QA0uM8J8cQ pic.twitter.com/xWYcNApxpz

— AFL (@AFL) February 27, 2026

The 20-year-old key forward kicked 18 goals in 16 games last year, but was dropped for round 20 and didn't play in the Suns' maiden finals campaign.

Walter also missed the start of the 2025 campaign because of a striking suspension.

Sydney small forward Malcolm Rosas Jr, who moved from the Suns during the trade period, can accept a $1000 fine for abusive language towards an umpire during the Swans' win over GWS.