Confirmed: Suns set to sign the Ace up their sleeve

ISOLATION, weekly COVID-19 tests and all — the 2020 AFL season has proven the ultimate blessing in disguise for Hewago “Ace” Oea’s career.

ISOLATION, weekly COVID-19 tests and all — the 2020 AFL season has proven the ultimate blessing in disguise for Hewago “Ace” Oea’s career.

Gold Coast Suns international rookie Hewago Paul Oea is in Cairns to participate in a community camp clinic for local junior players. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

It’s understood the 18-year-old was told in his exit meeting with the Suns he would be offered a two-year, Category A or B rookie contract.

Hailing from Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, Oea has spent the past two years on an international scholarship with the Suns.

But Ace is set to be upgraded to the senior list in a move that could see him make his senior debut for the club.

It’s believed the deal will be finalised in the coming days.

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Oea, who was introduced to Aussie rules at school, impressed in his first year in the red and gold, winning a NEAFL rising star nomination on the back of 19 touches, six tackles, and two goals against Aspley.

But when the AFL went into lockdown, so did Oea.

For the past six months, the NAB Academy product has been living inside the same bubble as his Suns teammates despite his scholarship status.

From being sent away from the club to train remotely, to being unable to venture outside and socialise with friends like he would any other season and even playing scrimmage matches against hub-bound AFL clubs, Oea has done it all.

And he’s a better footballer because of it.

When the pandemic first hit Australia and shut down the AFL season in March, Oea was paired with veteran defender Jarrod Harbrow for weeks of one-on-one training.

“We got given dumbbells and plates and had to try and keep our strength up and do lots of running and footy skills,” Oea said.

“Jarrod is a tough guy.

“When I went back training with the boys, I felt like I was fit and ready to roll because Jarrod helped me a lot during the COVID break.”

Gold Coast Suns Academy member Hewago Paul Oea. Picture: NEAFL/TJ YIELDS

Then when a return date was set and players were allowed to return to their club training bases, even Oea wasn’t spared from twice weekly, invasive, COVID-19 tests.

“It’s a bit yucky but we have to do it,” he said.

“I feel like my brain hurts.”

And finally, when the season resumed but AFL listed players were banned from competing in second-tier competitions due to the risk of virus transmission, Oea went from playing NEAFL for the Suns to lining up against seasoned and emerging AFL players in weekly scrimmages.

Used as a way for non-selected players to maintain match fitness, Oea believes his football has only improved because of it.

“Instead of versing NEAFL teams and probably this year, unfortunately, it was cancelled so it’s been a great challenge for myself and my teammates,” he said.

“I feel like I’m learning a lot.”

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And now two years after joining the Suns on an international scholarship, Oea could soon realise his AFL dream.

It’s believed Ace attracted interest from a number of other AFL clubs but will now get to remain on the Gold Coast.

“I feel like I’ve put in a lot of hard work on the training track and the coaching staff has helped me a lot,” he said.

“I train like I play so when I get out there on the weekend, I can play my role for the team and trust my teammates.”