Sam Virgo and Leah Kaslar will serve as the Gold Coast Suns inaugural AFLW captains

In 2016 they shared the honour of being named joint QWAFL league best and fairest winners, and now they will share the Suns AFLW captaincy.

IN 2016 they shared the honour of being named joint QWAFL league best and fairest winners, and now they will share the Suns AFLW captaincy.

Sam Virgo and Leah have been named inaugural AFLW captains as the club prepares to become the first national women’s sporting side to represent the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast Suns announce their team captains. AFLW co captains Samantha Virgo and Leah Kaslar. Picture Glenn Hampson

For Kaslar, the announcement comes five years after she flagged her intentions to emulate Gary Ablett and become the Suns first female captain.

“Oh, that would be unreal to play in the first Suns women’s side and maybe be captain as well,” a then 29-year-old Kaslar told the Bulletin.

Now 34, Kaslar has played three seasons of AFLW with the Brisbane Lions, captaining the side in 2019, before deciding to return to her native Gold Coast and continue her career at the highest level.

A leader by nature, Kaslar said she was overcome by pride when she was pulled aside by coach David Lake before training and told she’d be one of two to lead the club into a new chapter.

“Lakey grabbed me about 20 minutes before and said ‘what would you say if I asked you to be one of the captains of our club,’” she said.

“I cracked a big grin and smiled at him and told him I’m definitely ready to do that.”

A year on from her first AFLW captaincy experience with the Lions and Kaslar believes she is better placed to assume the leadership mantle.

“Being captain, sometimes you feel like you have to get everything right and don’t let your guard down as much so being at the Suns, I’ve really tried to be myself and be open,” she said.

“Sometimes you think you have the title so you need to do all this extra stuff but the reality is, you’re captain because of everything you’ve done before then.”

Gold Coast Suns announce their team captains. AFLW co captains Samantha Virgo and Leah Kaslar. Picture Glenn Hampson

Virgo, a long-time member of the Lion’s leadership group, believes an internal focus will bring out the best in her leadership ability.

“You can’t try and be perfect either but I think the best version of me will make the best captain,” the 32-year-old said.

“I’ve got to back myself in a bit and understand that I’ve got the role for a reason.”

A leader by example, Virgo said herself and Kaslar had already established a good working relationship following the Suns’ practice match against St Kilda on the weekend.

“I tossed the coin but she did the pre-game speech,” Virgo joked.

“I do speak at times but Leah is the wordsmith.”

“I am absolutely pumped and honoured to captain alongside her.”

Experienced AFLW players Sally Riley, Jamie Stanton and Tiarna Ernst round out the five person leadership group.

Tonight the Suns are set to hold their 2020 season launch where the club’s male captains are set to be announced and AFL and AFLW squads presented on stage at HOTA, with all the action kicking off from 5:30pm.