Best friends for life: Academy duo the latest draftee’s for the Gold Coast Suns AFLW

It might be a dream come true for the Gold Coast Suns two latest recruits but the feeling of playing elite AFLW still hasn’t sunk in for the two Academy draft picks.

It might be a dream come true for the Gold Coast Suns two latest recruits but the feeling of playing elite AFLW still hasn’t sunk in for the two Academy draft picks.

Burleigh Bomber’s junior stars, Kiara Bischa and Sienna McMullen were the Suns final two draft picks on Monday’s AFLW draft night, making it six Academy players drafted across the men’s and women’s teams.

Bischa said she is cannot wait to put the boots on and run out for the Suns.

Kiara Bischa and Sienna McMullen are the two latest Suns Academy players to get picked up by Gold Coast in 2023. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“It really hasn’t sunk in yet, it was such an amazing feeling hearing your name called out, even more special with the family there,” Bischa said.

“Growing up a Suns fan, all I wanted to do was to play for them.

“Now I have my dream come true but it seriously just doesn’t feel real yet.

“I think what makes it easier is I got drafted with my best friend as well.”

The 18-year-old was part of the Bond University premiership winning QAFLW side in September.

Already a star footballer, Bischa represented Queensland at the National Championships where she was awarded with All Australian honours.

Joining her in Suns gear in 2024, is her best friend Sienna McMullen who went at pick number 51 on Monday night.

McMullen said it has been an interesting ride to get where she is today.

“I didn’t start playing AFL until about 2020 when we moved up to the Coast from Sydney,” McMullen said.

“Was just at school, picked up a footy and kicked it around and got told I should go and play.

“And from there just fell in love with the game.

“To be able to represent the Burleigh Bombers but to also stay here on the Coast is everything to me, I love it here.

“But to be able to do this with your best friend just makes it about 200 times better really.”

The 18-year-old is a strong outside midfielder with plenty of run, will be looking to add extra pace to the Suns already solid midfield.

McMullen was a member of the AFL National Academy in 2023 and starred for Australia in the Under 18 team against the Under 23 All Stars.

Joining the two Academy stars on the Gold Coast is Keely Fullerton from Bendigo, Taya Oliver from Coorparoo and Annabel Kievit from the Northern Territory.

The Suns AFLW pre-season is set to ramp back up early next year as they look to go deeper into finals in 2024.