Exploring Gold Coast’s strong Mackay connection ahead of AFLW clash

Ahead of Friday night’s AFLW clash at Great Barrier Reef Arena, discover how and why Mackay has been a pivotal player in Gold Coast’s rise.

The Mackay region is proving to be a happy hunting ground for Gold Coast AFLW recruiters.

First it was Lauren Bella, who started her AFLW career with three games at the Lions before crossing to the Suns.

Then came Wallis Randell.

Now Kaylee Kimber and Alana Gee have been added to this list.

It positions Mackay as the Suns’ greatest production line in regional Queensland, if not regional Australia.

“A lot of us didn’t even really cross over,” muses Lauren Bella of Mackay’s other trio of AFLW talents.

“It is really exciting to just see the generational depth of talent that we have coming through.

“Mackay is such a sporting town and has just so much natural talent when it comes to sport, we were able to harness that.

“I think very naturally, people have just fallen in love with the game, which is a tribute to where it’s heading now.”

Wallis Randell (left) and Lauren Bella were Mackay’s first two Suns. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Gee, who made her AFLW debut this season, credited the Suns Academy for playing a major hand.

“They definitely nurture the younger girls coming through, and help give them exposure to higher levels and all the tools they need to transition into getting drafted,” Gee said.

“Especially myself growing through the academy, it was just such an easier transition into getting drafted and keeping up the standards that you have to keep up with in women’s footy.

“Even if we are from north Queensland, they’ve really provided extra help with north Queensland, spent a lot of time developing the girls there as well.”

Alana Gee of the Suns warming up. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Along with the addition of Gee, another Mackay figurehead has climbed the ranks at the Suns in the form of assistant coach Jen Revell.

Revell, who’s somewhat of a pioneer in the Mackay women’s footy space, played a significant hand in the establishment of the Moranbah Bulldogs women’s side.

Among her many local and representative duties, Revell spent six seasons coaching Gold Coast’s Mackay Academy before becoming an assistant this season.

“I just think it’s the program that the Gold Coast Academy has given is a really good pathway for players who are really interested,” Revell said.

“It’s not just about trying to make it at an AFL or an AFLW level, but just trying to be good people and really good club people and you know potentially even play QAFL and VFL even.

“So it’s like they’re really good at promoting high-level standards for players and people and I think you know for me that was really easy to buy into.

Jen Revell playing for the Mackay City, she became a premiership captain with the Hawks in 2022.

“I really enjoyed delivering that and we’ve been very lucky to have some consistent coaches and then some really good mentoring.”

Revell believes the next step for Mackay would be the introduction of a junior girl’s league, but lauded the region’s ability to produce such high-end talent without it.

While Kimber has been placed on the inactive list this season with a foot injury, Bella, Gee, and Randell are set to return to where it all began on Friday night, as Great Barrier Reef Arena plays host to the Gold Coast and Essendon AFLW clash in the final round of the home and away.

The match kicks off at 6.45pm, and entry will be free.

It shapes as a pivotal encounter for the Suns, who could finish anywhere from third to tenth given the tremendously close nature of this season’s ladder.

The Suns‘ Mackay contingent of Wallis Randell, Alana Gee, Lauren Bella and Kaylee Kimber. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos.

If the Suns taste victory, not only is the club’s second ever finals berth secured, but there remains a chance for a top-four finish and coveted double chance.

If the Suns lose however, their finals hopes would hinge on the results of four other games.

Revell knows what it's like to taste success on Great Barrier Reef Arena, having played in two premierships there with Mackay City Hawks.

If the Suns could secure a finals berth there, she believes it would be an “incredibly special” moment for her and the Mackay contingent.

“It would be just nice to celebrate with a lot of friends there,” Revell said.

“With the Mackay girls, we've obviously got a pretty nice bond and have a lot of fond memories, so it'd be really nice to share that with their families as well.”