2022 AFL Draft: Gold Coast welcomes Bailey Humphrey
An exciting midfielder who can push forward has been unveiled as the Gold Coast Suns’ newest rising star on the first night of the AFL Draft.
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The Gold Coast Suns have added another prized talent to their emerging young list.
Bailey Humphrey joined the club after he was selected with the sixth pick in the 2022 AFL Draft on Monday night.
Humphrey enjoyed a standout season for the Gippsland Power in the NAB League which culminated with him finishing third in the league best-and-fairest.
In the lead up to the draft, the 18-year-old’s leadership skills had been spoken of highly having led the Power throughout the 2022 season.
Now he’s set to join some of the AFL’s most respected leaders in Suns’ skippers Jarrod Witts and Touk Miller.
“I learnt a lot about communication and I loved every minute of it,” Humphrey told Fox Footy moments after being drafted.
“I can’t wait to learn off them (the Gold Coast Suns’ leaders).
“They (the club) said I was their favourite to go tonight and (I) leave on Thursday.”
Gold Coast Suns national recruiting manager Kall Burns expressed his excitement at Humphrey’s arrival.
“It’s really exciting for our football club to bring in a dynamic player like Bailey who can really complement our current midfield group, but can play forward too and hit the scoreboard,” Burns told the club’s website.
“Bailey is a powerful player but also has extremely strong character and comes with great leadership qualities.
“We’re confident Bailey will be able to establish himself within our group and be a Gold Coast SUNS player for a long time.”
In 11 NAB League games this season, Humphrey booted 21 goals including three games of four.
He averaged 19.8 disposals and 4.6 tackles.
“I don’t know, I think I’m just going to try and earn respect off them first,” Humphrey said when asked about potentially playing in the Suns’ midfield.
“I think the combination (of playing between the midfield and forward line) really suits me but towards the end of the year, I developed more as a forward.
“But I can definitely call myself a mid-forward.”
Gold Coast did not select a player on the second night of the draft after passing with their selections.
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