Gold Coast Suns AFLW supporters have their say before historic first premiership game
Hear from the Gold Coast Suns supporters who can’t wait for the Suns to play their historic first AFLW match today.
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W HAT THE SUNS FANS THINK
Eliza Reilly talks with supporters who can’t wait for the Suns to play their historic first AFLW match today.
LYNTON MARTIN, 17
Inaugural Suns supporter, six-year club member, foundation AFLW member
PENNY SNELL, 43
Inaugural Suns supporter, 10-year member, foundation AFLW member
BILLIE HAMILTON, 10
First-year Gold Coast Suns supporter
STEWART DOWNS , 42
First-year Gold Coast Suns supporter
How do you rate the girls’ chances in the 2020 AFLW season?
Lynton: Most of the football community don’t rate our team. I beg to differ. Female football has been strong in Queensland and the Gold Coast for several years now and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a finals performance by the girls.
Penny: The girls have shown at the practice match that even though they have only been together a short time that they all have the same passion to succeed so I expect them to be competitive from the first game.
Billie: They are such a great team so my hopes are at 100 out of 100.
Stewart: Fairly well. There will be a bit of adjustment being a new team but I think there’s a good mix of women to make the cogs turn in a positive way.
Which player are you most looking forward to watching and why?
Lynton: I am looking forward to seeing all the girls play but the player I can’t wait to take the field isKitara Whap-Farrar. I have been a supporter of hers for the past few years. She could be a young superstar in the next few years.
Penny:Kitara Whap Farrar (pictured below). She is young talented lady from Cairns and she has an extreme love of the game and a great work ethic on the field.
Billie:Alexia Hamilton, number 30, because she is my favourite player, idol and my sister. I am looking forward to watching her smash it out there on the field from day one. Also Hannah Dunnbecause she is like another sister to me.
Stewart: Cheyenne Hammond . It’s her first year in the AFLW. She’s had really good results in the SANFLW in South Australia. Very fast, great ball skills and she is still working extremely hard to fine-tune a couple of things.
What does it mean to you to support the Gold Coast’s first female national sporting team?
Lynton: I have been a supporter of women’s sport for just under a decade now and thrilled that girls are getting similar opportunities on the national stage like the men. The Suns girls will do the Coast proud whether they fail to win a match or take out the AFLW crown.
Penny: We are long-term residents of the Gold Coast and have supported the boys team from the start. We also have a 15-year-old daughter who plays and has played since she was six years old.
Billie: It was a natural decision to support the girls. The chance to support my sister and
her teammates making history for girls footy. I can’t wait to watch the first game.
Stewart: It’s a huge step forward. I’m really impressed how well all the men’s teams are getting behind it as well. There’s so much talent out there as well. I would love to see tickets being sold so that players are paid more. It’s the big stage, why wouldn’t you pay?
When did you decide you were going to support the Suns AFLW side?
Lynton: As soon as the proposal of a women’s side was brought up. I am a proud Gold Coast member and supporter since the get-go. I was gutted when we missed out on entry into the inaugural AFLW season in 2017.
Penny: We decided to follow the team from day one. We purchased our foundation memberships on the first day they were available.
Billie: July 2019 when we met David Lake (head coach) and he remembered my name after only talking to me for five minutes
Stewart: Last year, after the draft and the talent that got scooped up.
Which game of the season are you most looking forward to watching and why?
Lynton: I am most looking forward to our historic first home match versus Richmond. Richmond have been built up as an AFLW powerhouse. It would
be so thrilling to knock them off early in the season.
Penny: Round 2 against Richmond at home at Metricon Stadium because it’s our first home game and our first chance to show our support for the girls.
Billie: All of their games but especially the first game as they make history.
Stewart: Against Geelong (in Round 5). It will be a good, hard-fought game. The Cats are still reasonably new as a whole so it should be a great game.
Which Suns recruit do you think will make the biggest impact this season?
Lynton: I probably have gone for the easy option but I think Leah Kaslarwill dominate the competition. She has the experience of two AFLW grand finals and was the backbone for success with the Lions early on.
Penny: Sam Virgo, just because of her leadership and work ethic towards the game both on and off the field.
Billie:Sam Virgo because she is an excellent player.
Stewart: Sam Virgo. She’s a good, strong leader with great team spirit. She has a bit of that “get around each other” attitude.
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