Profiling all the Gold Coast Suns academy players set to feature on draft boards
Discover the Suns academy names from across Queensland vying to crack onto draft boards now and in years to come, with the AFL and AFLW drafts upon us.
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Draft season is upon us, with the country’s top male and female Aussie rules talents set to find new homes over the coming weeks.
The AFL draft commences on Wednesday night before the next crop of AFLW stars are picked up in the competition’s first national draft next month.
Leo Lombard is the biggest junior name set to join Gold Coast’s senior male program on Wednesday night, more than a year after he played in the club’s inaugural VFL premiership as a 16-year-old. He was raised by a single mother working three jobs and believes his jiu jitsu background was pivotal to his development. Read more about his rise here.
Ahead of the respective drafts, we’ve profiled every Gold Coast Suns academy player – male and female – from the under-16 and under-18 programs.
Discover every profile below as you get to know the players who could be making waves on the biggest stage in years to come.
Under-18 boys
Archie Hill
The Broadbeach product is still under-16 eligible and featured in the under-16 national champs. He’s a running defender or winger with excellent endurance, and is also a good ball-user and an exciting player for his club.
Beau Addinsall
A very bright young talent. Was an All Australian under-16 last year and has progressed to the under-17 age bracket. Tied up with Broadbeach, he has great endurance, is a midfielder who can play forward and hits the scoreboard. He’s a smart high-end talent and is super consistent.
Ben Leeds
The Surfers Paradise product is an under-17 talent and a running defender or winger who is good overhead and a good ball-user.
Caleb Nancarrow
Hailing from Cairns, Nancarrow is a super athletic, key forward or ruck who is really good overhead. He’s also agile around the ground. A high-end talent.
Cooper Collins
The under-17 is a hybrid forward who can play high or deep. He’s a good goal-kicker, is good overhead, and is playing some good footy.
Cooper Hynes
Hynes is a wingman who can also play inside midfield, he’s a good ball-user, is smart, and had three goals and 14 disposals in a Coates League game against Dandenong Stingray earlier in the year.
Dylan Patterson
The under-17 was an All-Australian under-16. He has elite power and speed, is an excellent kick, can an play wing or midfield. One of the academies top talents.
Ethan Johnston
His season was marred by a stress fracture in his back but he’s tall and athletic ruck with a basketball background. He can also play forward and has plenty of potential.
Finlay Gray
The under-18 has missed a lot of footy over the past two years however he demonstrated that he could operate as a powerful key forward and is good overhead. Also had great tackle pressure and was consistent.
Harrison Gray
The under-17 was one of the most improved for the Suns. Has developed nicely into a hard running defender who can help on offence. He makes good decisions, is a good ball user, and shuts down his opponent.
Jai Murray
Murray was an All-Australian under-16 last year. He plays on the wing, often averages over 20 touches, hits the scoreboard, is a good ball-user, and consistent.
Jezz Butler
The North Queensland product is a super consistent small forward who brings great tackle pressure, power, speed, and can hit the scoreboard.
Joe Kennedy
Was part of the Suns academy last year and is a hybrid player, he can play up the ground or deep, is good overhead and hits the scoreboard. Is a Broadbeach product.
Jonah Harris
The Burleigh ruckman is underage and his learning his craft still. He has size, is super powerful with good speed, and he’s athletically gifted. Played some pivotal roles for the Suns despite a lack of consistent opportunity.
Josh Watters
The small forward has his craft down pat and can hit the scoreboard, also has great IQ. The Coolangatta Tweed product is the son of former AFL player Scott Watters.
Kalani White
White is a tall and athletic key defender who can play forward or ruck. Is super athletic and an elite kick for his size.
Koby Coulson
Has been hampered with stress fractures, but is an aggressive inside midfielder who thrives at the contest and is a great tackle. Is a good kick.
Lachlan Cramp
the Burleigh product is an underage young run who possesses great speed. He can play on the wing or at half back.
Lachlan Gulbin
A great leader who was in the leadership group, Gublin had become accustomed to a high forward role. He has great power, speed, tackling and hits the scoreboard. Is a super important player.
Leonardo Lombard
Lombard made headlines last season when he played in Gold Coast’s VFL flag as a 16-year-old. He’s super aggressive and a great tackler and is a member of the AFL Academy. The dynamic forward/midfielder is freakishly strong for his age and can play inside or outside roles. He’s set to land on the Suns AFL list on Wednesday night when the club matches a bid for him – likely inside the top 10. He has a highlight reel of goals rivalled by few players his age and has earned national carnival MVP honours at both an under-16 and under-18 level.
Lucas Snowball
The top-age player missed the Academy squad last year but had great pre-season in 2024 to earn his spot. Has played VFL footy this season and is a small forward with smarts and great pressure.
Maddox Iverach
The Broadbeach talent has a good pre-season leading into the Academy and played every game out on the wing. He’s good overhead, is a great tackler and played his role well.
Matthew Hoy
The underage Labrador player is a small who can play up forward or down back. He puts pressure on his opponent and hurts teams with scoreboard pressure.
Max Cruse
The Palm Beach Currumbin running defender is really athletic and good overhead. He has good foot skills and was solid across the Suns Academy games.
Max Hudson
The underage key position player who hails from Broadbeach can play forward or down back. Provides aerial contests and is good overhead. His strength and ability to create up forward is a highlight of his game.
Max Marsh
The North Queensland boy who hails from BITS Saints is a good 1-on-1 defender who provides a good aerial contest.
Nelson Beikoff-Smart
The running defender is one of the academy’s best players. He’s an elite kick, a great decision-maker and sets up the offence coming out of the back half. Is a Palm Beach Currumbin product.
Oscar Wood
The Surfers Paradise key forward can also play in the ruck. Provides a good aerial contest and is a good ball-user.
Riley Clark
An underage ruck tied to Palm Beach Currumbin who can also play as a key forward. Put in some solid performances, with his strengths being his tap work and overall ruck craft.
Taj Lockett
A versatile tall who has the ability to play in numerous positions across the field, he’s a smart ball user who thrives in one-on-one contests.
Ty Fitzgerald
Known for his incredible pressure around the contest, a Patrick Cripps-like style of play while also being clean with the ball in hand marking overhead.
Zac Eckersley
Brings a strong aerobic capacity as an underage player and good football smarts with the ball in hand, while also showing a quick burst of speed.
Zai Millane
One of several Suns Academy members in the Allies squad, he reads the game supremely as a 1-on-1 defender and has earned opportunities with the Suns at VFL level. Related to the late Darren Millane, a former Collingwood premiership player.
Zeke Uwland
The younger brother of Suns AFL young gun Bodhi who recently penned a two-year contract extension, Zeke has a stronger aerobic capacity than his brother with a keen eye for goal as well. Has accumulated a handful of incredible outings in 2024 and is performing strongly for the Allies in his underage year. Is among the contenders to go at pick one in next year’s draft.
Beau Lester-Sutherland
Has been hampered by injuries in his last two seasons, but has earned opportunities at VFL level on the back of his tackling pressure and work rate around the contest as an inside midfielder.
Ben O’Brien
A consistent cog for the Suns Academy who can play in both defence and forward if required. Has played games across two seasons in the VFL and has his eye set on studying law beyond school.
Charlie Elliott
A raking left foot not too dissimilar to former Lions defender Daniel Rich, Elliott has been a member of the Suns Academy for seven years and loves impacting the scoreboard.
Finn Hay
An excellent runner, smart ball-user who leads from the front. His clean use of the ball has earned him opportunities in the VFL. Away from footy, he’s a keen surfer.
Harry Sullivan
Has experience at Coates Talent League level for Sandringham and has shown consistency as a medium defender and on the wing in his 19th year.
Josh Zanker-Close
Zanker-Close has been hampered by a shoulder injury but is an exceptional reader of the play and shows incredible game smarts which has earned him VFL opportunities as a key defender.
Matthew Evans
Is relatively new to Aussie rules and brings a unique set of skills from a basketball background into his roles as a ruck and key forward. Made his VFL debut against Southport in Round 7.
Nathan Kady
A consistent contributor across midfield and forward if required, he’s reliable as they come around the contest and has earned his chances in the VFL system.
Nick Francis
Hampered by injury in his draft year, Francis has played a handful of VFL games for the Suns. He boasts a beautiful kick and is excellent with his hands.
Under-18 girls
Dekota Baron
A key forward whose real weapon is her overhead marking and toughness in the air. An elite kick of the footy which allows her to finish off her work consistently.
Georja Davies
Possesses the ability to play ruck, as a tall forward or back and even as an on baller. She has elite movement and skill for a girl that’s 183cm tall. Was a member of Southport’s premiership-winning QAFLW outfit and played a key role this year.
Grace Ella
Ella Has lightning speed which allows her to be an attacking half back. She can provide great drive and also play as more of a lockdown defender when required.
Amelia Ella
Is a half forward who has so much room for growth and also has elite speed. She can apply pressure at a really high level and is a high impact per possession player.
Aasha Elliot
A half back who can read the play really strongly and also has a really strong ability to run and carry the footy and generate great rebound.
Evie Emmett
The midfielder is ferocious in the contest and is a really strong tackler. Her ability to win clearances and impact at the coalface is her biggest weapon.
Annabelle Foat
A really physical player who rarely loses in one-on-one situations. Can impact defensively as well as provide some run from half back using her strong decision making ability. Also plays in the midfield.
Alicia Gordon
The half forward is a really strong competitor who has a knack of putting herself in good positions to impact forward of the footy. She has a strong ability to finish off her work in front of goal too.
Tara Harrington
The inside midfielder is a member of the AFL Academy, she’s a special clearance player whose handball craft is elite. Has done a really good job of building out her ability to impact on the outside in the past 12 months.
Havana Harris
The tall utility is a really prodigious talent and member of the AFL Academy who has a really unique blend of attributes. She is really strong aerially, but her ground level work is also of the highest quality, and she’s also an elite clearance player with elite skills. Can Impact the scoreboard too. Put together a strong QAFLW campaign with Bond University.
Andria Heard
Heard is quick for her size and never fails to compete in the air and on the ground. She has a really good ability to apply pressure at ground level and impact with her tackling from half forward.
Sunny Hewett
The half back has a really strong ability to halve a contest and never gives her opponent an inch. She’s a strong tackler who can also provide some rebound and uses her skill well when needed.
Rhianna Ingram
A really clean player who rarely fumbles the footy. She has some high-level lateral movement which she uses effectively. A highly skilled individual who can play midfield or half forward.
Sunny Lappin
The daughter of former AFL Blue Matthew Lappin, Sunny has elite hands overhead and is an extremely skilled player who is high impact per possession. Plays on the wing or at half forward and has a really advanced footy IQ. Also has a dangerous kick.
Ava Maher
The midfielder is a really nice size with plenty of room for growth and plays with a calmness which allows her to make good decisions with ball in hand. Definitely untapped potential.
Nyalli Milne
A really dynamic half forward who is really strong overhead but has elite lateral movement and top-end speed. A strong goal kicker when given the chance too.
Mikayla Nurse
The midfielder is really strong with her fundamentals, has a strong clearance game and executes consistently when kicking the footy inside 50. Still lots of room for growth however.
Bronte Parker
The inside midfielder provides great energy and effort in the middle of the ground. Her tackle numbers are always very strong. and she’s equally as strong when it comes to winning first possession. Runs good patterns too.
Evy Reeves
A super reliable medium defender who executes really well with her rebound 50s and can also be a real strong competitor in her one-on one-situations. A trustworthy teammate too.
Siobhan Ross
Ross has shown tremendous growth at full back this year. She’s a talent who’s really gifted athletically with her speed and power and is also a strong competitor. Has really advanced her footy IQ throughout this season.
Neive Ryan
Has showed really strong ability to win contests late in the season, and is capable of taking a strong intercept mark. She’s a defender and her kicking is of a high-level too.
Mia Salisbury
Has great poise and balance, sees the game so well in front of her and consistently makes good decisions. A highly skilled operator who plays off half back or in the middle.
Aleah Stringer
The half forward has shown how strong her forward craft is when the ball’s on the ground and she consistently fights to win fifty-fifty
contests. Can also snag a goal when required.
Heidi Talbot
Talbot is a super runner with elite speed and power and was one of the Suns’ most improved over the past 12 months. Her kicking is becoming very consistent and should only continue to improve. She’s a real weapon off half back with her drive and run and can also play on the wing.
Alannah Welsh
Welsh has become a defender’s nightmare in such a short space of time as she’s powerful and hard to defend against. Is a dangerous forward who can play through the middle and has elite footy IQ. Very skilful and a great teammate.
Sky White
Became a real asset for the Suns this year as she was so reliable as a lockdown defender. Given how athletically gifted she is her potential is really untapped. Started to add some run and drive late into her game. An exciting prospect at centre half back.
Aleira Usher
The winger is a really strong runner who has showed she has the ability to run and carry the footy really well, she provides a great link to many forward thrusts and is damaging with her possessions.
Ava Usher
The midfielder is a really fierce competitor who has a great mix of inside and outside footy in her game. She’s an elite ball user who wins clearances at a high clip and is damaging with her speed and power. One of the best juniors in the country.
Josie McCabe
McCabe is a real leader and a much-loved member of the group. On the field she’s really strong aerially and
has neat and tidy skills. Off field she has also demonstrated a strong footy IQ as she helps in her own way to coach her teammates and help improve them as well. Can play as a forward or midfielder.
Sienna Burnham
A really strong inside midfielder who is able to consistently impact contests. Her tackle numbers are always incredibly strong and she can always be relied upon to compete.
Under-16 boys
Brae Agrums
Agrums started playing senior footy this year, and is an athletic key defender. His dad Lucas Agrums played NBL in the 90s, and Ben is a Port Douglas junior.
Jack Barratt
Barratt is a running defender off half back with high-end speed, nice skills and a solid left foot kick. He’s a Coomera junior.
Blake Bebendorf
A pressure forward that plays his junior footy at Broadbeach, Bebendorf is really strong around the contest and plays a role similar to Nick Holman role.
Robert Braun
A Mackay City Hawks product, unfortunately Braun broke his collarbone, but he’s a high-end talent that will be a good player in time. A really talented small forward.
Jez Brindley
A solid small defender with nice skills who is clean and composed with the footy. The Burleigh junior works very hard and is a solid player.
Jake Callinan
An big-bodied inside midfielder, Callinan is a really nice kick of footy who has played state under-15s for Queensland. A strong contested ball winner, he has also been playing Colts for Surfers despite his youth.
Dylan Gardiner
Originally from North Queensland, Gardiner moved to Palm Beach last year. He’s a winger and was a state representative in the decathlon so it should come as no surprise that he has good speed and power. He’s still learning the footy caper in role, but he’s not a bad kick and good with ball in hand.
Cooper Glass
Glass is a Cairns boy who has already started playing seniors in Cairns this year. Can play on the wing or as a small forward, is a neat left foot kick, and has run several marathons.
Jesse Harding
A medium defender, it’s Harding’s first time in the Suns talent program. A lockdown and one-0n-one specialist, he’s been adding offence to his game and come a long way in the past six months.
Archie Hill
It’s been a big year for Hill, who has already played Coates Talent League games and made his QAFL debut at Broadbeach. The midfielder is a powerful runner who covers ground well and wins the footy inside and outside. He’s a super leader and the team grows when he’s in the side. It’s hoped he can lead the program in future.
Hugo Howard
A competitive inside midfielder that’s hard at it and head over footy all the time, Howard tackles strongly and does the grunt work.
Zac Jacobson
Has been hampered by injury, first an ankle and then a broken finger, but he’s an athletic winger or half back who can also play forward. Is strong overhead and has a nice skill set.
Jackson Jarvis
Jarvis was an All Australian under-15 ruckman, but has shifted down back this year. He’s competitive one-on-one, a good intercept mark, and uses the ball well. Had a really good year last year.
Lachlan Jeffs
The Townsville product is returning from a back injury. He’s a really composed left-footer that plays in the midfield or at half forward. A good natural footballer.
Cooper Johnson
A tall who can play at both ends of the field, Johnson is a good mark and a nice kick. He also opens bowling for Southport in A-grade cricket and he’s a competitor.
Tyler Johnson
Johnson has played senior footy for the storied Yeppoon outfit that’s gunning for a tenth consecutive premiership this season. He’s super clean with his hands, and played inside for the Suns. Also a good decision-maker.
Leroy Kaesler
A Smart footballer with a high IQ, Kaesler has a good skill set. Can play half forward or inside midfield, and is competitive around the contest. Also a nice kick with time and space.
Ned Lawton
Unfortunately Lawton injured his shoulder in school footy and had to get a reconstruction this year. He brings great energy to the group and is a well respected leader. He would’ve played midfield for the Suns under-16s if fit, and can play forward or back. Is a strong chance to make the under-18 squad in the next few years.
Jake Marsh
Marsh was playing his footy in Cairns but has moved to Broadbeach. He’s a medium forward who has a good goal sense, and will often lay four or five tackles and hit the scoreboard despite not having a heap of possessions.
Isaac Mayne
Mayne had a massive campaign with the Suns having played state under-15s the year prior. He has good hands overhead, is a good decision-maker and came in leaps and bounds after a really strong pre-season.
Zayne Moore
Moore has enjoyed a strong senior campaign for Port Douglas this season after breaking into the side as a 16-year-old. He’s a nice mover off half back and good overhead. Uses the ball well.
Taj Murray
Murray is only 15 and previously cracked the All Australian under-15 side when he was just 14. The winger is a powerful runner with speed and he covers ground well and wins the ball inside. His older brother Jai is in the Suns under-18s.
Sam Murray
Sam Murray is a developing tall who was playing forward for the Suns under-16s, as well as a little bit down back. He takes the ball at its highest point and is subsequently a good contested mark with a strong vertical leap.
Allan Sevara
Sevara hails from Papua New Guinea and is a small forward who plays like David Rodan. He doesn’t get knocked off his feet and has a low centre of gravity, as well as pace to burn and agility.
Blake Tissington
Tissington is an Airlie Beach product and the first player the Suns have had in a long time from Airlie. He’s a super competitive inside midfielder with good hands overhead. Very competitive.
Kodi Wallace
Wallace has been selected in the Queensland under-15s and the forward/midfielder has super speed and well as endurance. Also has a good footy IQ, power, and foot skills.
Riley Weir
Weir is a left-footed small defender from Coolangatta with neat foot skills. A really reliable player.
Elijah Welsh
Welsh in a hardworking inside midfielder who makes it to contest after contest and gets the ball going forward. Is also a very talented cricketer.
Jesse Wenzel
Wenzel is a tall forward or ruckman who plays his footy at Broadbeach, floating between the Colts and under-17s. He has good athletic traits and has grown into his body. Is also good below his knees and covers ground well.
Luke Chapman
Chapman had been training with the under-18s and has developed in leaps and bounds over the past 12 months. He’s a smart winger, who’s a good mark and has good skills.
Harry Heathcote
A versatile tall that can play at both ends, he’s athletic, has good hands overhead and is a good user by foot. Has really good traits.
Ethan Johnstone
Johnstone doubles as a high-level basketballer and stands at 203cm. Back issues have held him back but he’s a developing ruck who’s marking and kicking have improved out of sight. A really coachable player too.
Lachlan Jones
Jones came from Townsville 12 months ago but has been hampered by injury issues. A collarbone injury cost him his under-18s chance. He’s a wing or half back that covers ground well and has an elite skill set.
Ty Lockwood
The Tweed Coast Tigers product is also a high-level basketballer at The Southport School and has really developed. He stands at 195cm, is a good overhead mark and competitive. The ruckman can also get the ball around the ground.
Kane Peters
Peters is really competitive and can play forward or midfield, he’s strong around contest. The left foot kick has good penetration, works hard around footy, and is a physical presence. Was set back by an ankle injury.
Caleb Williams
Williams is an Indigenous small forward with high-end speed and burst who’s also a beautiful kick. Can play midfield as well and has nice traits.
Noah Young
Young is a great story after he was plucked out of division three under-15 last year. He’s a very coachable player who’s taken to the academy well. Plays medium forward, has good hands, and works hard to develop his game.
Under-16 girls
Stephanie Aguinaldo
Aguinaldo is one of the most versatile talents in the Suns program. Her athletic pedigree includes high-level walking, netball, and rugby league. She didn’t have a local club and had only been playing school footy but impressed with her leadership and co-captained the Suns’ under-16s. The top-ager is a key forward or inside midfielder that drives her legs powerfully, plays all over the ground, and is explosive. Notched an 18s game against the Lions too.
Keely Andrews
A Townsville product, Andrews is a powerful and raw forward. She’s a netball convert that reads the play well but is still developing her fundamentals. Played against the Swans 16s and kicked a goal. Long-term prospect.
Allegra Bandiera
The 15-year-old was a talent combat athlete but transformed into an excellent wing option in Gold Coast’s under-16 program. She’s up and comer and her commitment and desire to improve was exceptional. Also shifted to the ruck in the back-end of the Suns’ season.
Emily Beaver
Beaver has height on side and is still in the early stages of her development. She’s a long-term prospect and a taller player who’s still developing. She’s worked on her running technique, kicking technique, picked up a single hand ball drop and her confidence is building.
Joelene Billett
Powerful key forward Billett has very good foot skills, she marks on the lead well and kicks accurately. She shifted to full back for the last two Suns games in a bid to expose her to new football, and there was lots of learning but she played really well.
Summer Browning
Browning is very athletic, played on the wing and also at half forward. Her biggest attribute is her repeat effort running, and highlights of her working from one side of the ground to the other were used by coaches as a good example for her teammates to follow. She assists at contest, has good foot skills, and has developed her overhead prowess.
Allie Cameron
Cameron is still only 15 and a talent to be super excited about. She’s a midfielder with ultra explosive speed that comes from a surf lifesaving background. She’s also clean below her knees which really stood out. Was a pivotal member of the Suns outfit this season, and she can also shift forward and hit the scoreboard.
Maddie Campbell
Campbell hails from north Queensland and moved to the Gold Coast at the start of the year. She’s a forward turned rebounding defender with a damaging left foot kick that can open up the game. She also notched an 18s appearance against the Calder Cannons.
Meg Childes
The younger sister of exceptional QAFLW talent Jane, Meg also comes from north Queensland where she was first spotted at the Townsville trials. She’s a lightly framed ruck with a vertical leap that really excites you. The first contest Suns coaches saw her in, she put her knee onto the shoulder of the opposing ruck. Also has good leg speed.
Billie Cook
Cook is still underage in the 16s and stood out for her courage and attack at the footy in a practice match against Brisbane. She also has good foot skills and is a strong one-on-one player for a small footballer. She’s coachable and hardworking.
Grace Cooper
An exciting prospect that’s still 15, Cooper is a very determined and focused individual who lives and breathes football. She’s known for following up her feedback and researching, and also has good foot skills. She began as inside midfielder and her one-on-one contest work is also very strong. She was moved to fullback in her last game and her opponent had seven first half goals, in Cooper’s first time playing down back she kept her to just three in the second half in a really impressive showing.
Sage Crossley
The younger sister of Southport VFL co-captain Brayden, it should come as no surprise that Crossley is a tall ruck with a very good understanding of her tap zones. She missed the national development championships as she was carrying injury, but her overhead marking is solid too.
Ellie Da Ros
She’s still inexperienced but her athletic profile is really exciting. She has explosive speed, agility, a strong vertical leap, and strength – all the little things that you don’t see from other talls. She can fly high in the contest and knows how to ride the defender to pluck some great grabs.
Lacey Dutton
Was the 16’s vice-captain this year and is a smart footballer. She’s a half forward that has the ability to read the play well, is a connection player, and wins ground ball. Is also a talented handpasser and can free her receivers.
Grace Frost
Another north Queensland player from Townsville, Frost has a great ability to win the football and be clean which is really pleasing. She’s a high IQ player who widens her vision well to spread the field and isn’t always looking down line.
Heidi Grimster
Grimster may be one of the quietest footballers in the program, but she has her fundamentals down as well as anyone else. Her overhead marking is also strong, and her tackles are flawless. She’s a good kick and more exposure on game day will continue to develop her skills.
Eva Hooper
A Townsville-based player that captured attention very quickly in the trials, Hooper’s strength and courage is second to none, and she’s great defensively – but can also play a multitude of role in the midfield – making her the ideal all-round footballer. Her foot skills improved throughout the program and she’s strong overhead. Leadership is another strong suit of Hooper’s and she was a vice-captain.
Ella Johnston
Johnston is a running half back with height who has an impressive footy IQ. She’s a hybrid defender that can play tall or small, and the coaches also had a look at her down forward.
Jessica Large
A north Queensland product with electrifying speed, she likes to be outside with her pace but can also play inside and her run down tackles are fantastic. The coaches were excited by her workrate to outnumber and she’s clean by both hand and foot. A good prospect.
Azahri Loats
Loats played against Sydney, but returned to home to north Queensland afterwards, however she flew down again to feature in the Brisbane game. She’s a strong marking centre half forward who can also ruck or play centre half forward. Is good below her knees for her height and her repeated tackle pressure is her biggest weapon.
Lily Moana
One of the youngest players in the program, Moana is just 14 years old and a very exciting prospect. Her leg speed, endurance, IQ, and ability to impact multiple contests are her greatest attributes.
Tara Nieass
Nieass is another exciting prospect that’s ranked very highly. She’s 15 and polished by hand and foot, was arguably the best kick in the program. She was used off the wing and has a good vertical leap, as well as a great understanding of positioning and how to be damaging. A great talent.
Keanah Russell
Russell was the only underage player in the 16s program last year, making her the only repeat player in the Suns’ 2024 crop of talent. She co-captained the group and is a tough back-pocket/midfielder who’s aggressive and strong in the contest. Has a good left foot kick but missed the last three games through injury.
Mistee Sagigi
Sagigi is from Thursday Island and hadn’t played football until a year ago. She was identified on Thursday Island and immediately impressed when she came down for trials to look like she’s been playing for years. Has good fundamentals, and uses her exceptional speed to run-down tackle and explode out of contests.
Nikki Sandeman
Sandeman is a small forward with a good IQ and positioning. She reads the play well and can act as a connector down forward. She also finds space and uses it well, has good foot skills and a good lead too.
Jesse Sewell
A lightning fast back pocket whose explosiveness is a valuable weapon. She’s not too bad by foot and can leave congestion quickly.
Asia Single
The younger sister of Gold Coast AFLW player Lucy Single, Asia has impressed in the program. Her kicking skills and overhead marking are strengths. Her game is underpinned by her versatility and she can play on the inside or outside in the midfield and at half back. An exciting prospect.
Chelsea Smyth
A midfielder that converted to a back pocket, she’s strong at the contest and her tackle pressure is great. Also very mature on the field and her kicking is another strength.
Charli Sunderland
Unfortunately Sunderland was injured before the carnival but she’s a speed machine who was often taking three or four bounces in the practice matches. A natural half forward flank but could shift to the wing due to her speed.
Zoe Taylor
Taylor hails from Brisbane and resides right on the edge of the Suns Academy zone. Unfortunately she was held back by injuries this year and didn’t get a clean run to showcase her good foot skills and marking prowess.
Natalie Whatman
The Palm Beach Currumbin State High product has already represented Queensland in school footy. She trialled as an inside midfielder but would later find her home in the backline. She’s a strong intercept player that can impact the contest as a key defender. Also runs from half back and reads the play well.
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Originally published as Profiling all the Gold Coast Suns academy players set to feature on draft boards
Draft drama explodes with pick ‘loophole’
The No. 1 pick has been named at the AFL Draft but fans are furious at the system that allowed the reigning premiers to get an absolute steal.
Private settlement ends two-year Hawks racism saga
After two days of mediation, a confidential resolution has been reached between Hawthorn and former players and their partners, MARK ROBINSON reports.