AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone has backed in the Suns to have AFLW success and said the league would be crazy not to fixture a Q-Clash

As the next generation of AFLW talent assembles on the Gold Coast for the AFLW U18 national championships, the league’s big boss has backed the Gold Coast Suns to make an impact when they make their AFLW debut next year.

As the next generation of AFLW talent assembles on the Gold Coast for the AFLW U18 national championships, the league’s big boss has backed the Gold Coast Suns to make an impact when they make their AFLW debut next year.

The AFL’s Head of Women’s football Nicole Livingstone was yesterday at Metricon stadium to take in all the U18’s action as a number of Queensland’s emerging talents began to lay their claims for a spot on the Sun’s list in 2020.

Players pose for a portrait at Metricon Stadium on July 07, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images via AFL Photos). From left: Lucy McEvoy (Vic Country), Georgia Garnett (Eastern Allies), Lily Postlethwaite (QLD), Nicole Livingstone (AFL Head of Women’s Football), Mikayla Bowen (Western Australia), Montana McKinnon (Central Allies), Isabella Grant (Vic Metro)

“I’m excited for the Suns,” she said.

“I think the opportunity for success for the Gold Coast Suns AFLW team is huge.”

“I’m excited to see how they go.”

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With the Suns set to join the Brisbane Lions in the Queensland AFLW market, Livingstone hinted that the league would look to cash in on the Q-Clash rivalry and fixture an all Queensland clash next year.

With the AFLW expected to again implement a conference system for the second year in a row, a Q-Clash would add another chapter to the fledging local rivalry, especially after the Suns poached seven Lions players to commence their list build earlier this year.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 08: Nicole Livingstone poses for a photo during a AFLW U18 Championships media opportunity at Metricon Stadium on July 08, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“We’d be crazy if we didn’t have that,” Livingstone said of scheduling a Q-Clash.

“The fact we have Gold Coast and Brisbane where there is an excitement within the state that we can hold a derby and have that cross state rivalry which gives us more narrative.

“While I know that Brisbane has probably been a bit frustrated in terms of their list change this year with Gold Coast coming in, everybody was aware of the rules and what was coming.”

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With all AFLW club recruiters on the Gold Coast this week to watch over 200 of Australia’s rising stars in action, Livingstone said that she couldn’t wait to see what our future stars could produce throughout the week.

“This is an opportunity for these girls to shine,” she said.

“We have a host of girls coming through who are amazing.

“The fact they get to play in a big stadium like Metricon is brilliant as well.”

The AFLW U18 National Championships continue on Wednesday at the Southport Sharks football club.