Palmerston Magpies’ young gun Sandy Brock the latest Territorian to be picked up by the Gold Coast Suns

Top End young gun Sandy Brock has become the latest Territorian picked up by the Gold Coast Suns.

HARD work and determination pays off for Palmerston Magpies young gun Sandy Brock who has become the latest Territorian picked up by the Gold Coast Suns.

Brock is a key position defender who played his junior and senior football with the Palmerston Magpies where he was standout and has now been added to the Suns rookie list.

The 18-year-old’s attitude and work rate stood out and he was offered further chances with Peel Thunder in the WAFL.

Standing at 198cm Brock is known for his elite speed and has represented the NT Thunder, NT All Stars and has also been included in the under-19s Allies squad in recent years.

His selection makes him the third Territorian to join the Suns since the club since the club launched its partnership with the NT Government in 2019 following Malcolm Rosas Jr and Joel Jeffrey.

“I’m just so happy, this is a great opportunity for me to play and train against and alongside the best players in the country,” Brock said.

“I honestly can’t wait, it’s going to be an unreal experience, and hopefully I can play AFL but also see the development. I’m looking forward to it so much.

“I want to learn from all the players and coaches and try to make it to the top as fast as I can.”

The Gold Coast Suns have added Sandy Brock to the club's rookie list as an Academy preselection. Picture: Suns Media

The young player tried his hand at a number of sports growing up including athletics, soccer, rugby union and basketball but for him it was footy that shone brightest.

Among others Brock has highlighted Alwyn Davey and Glen Patrick at Palmerston and Jason Roe and Simon Hargrave at NT Thunder as crucial to his development.

“I’ve been playing footy for a long time and this has been a dream of mine for a long time,” Brock said.

“I would describe myself as a fast runner with quick closing speed playing mainly around the backline.

“Thunder was great for me getting the chance to train around others with the same goal and now getting the opportunity to train with the best will be awesome.”

AFLNT Talent Manager Simon Hargrave said Brock has shown great promise throughout his career to date since being part of the Under 16’s NT Thunder Academy.

“Being added to the SUNS rookie list is a credit to the work Sandy has put into his football, through the Cazalys NT Thunder Academy, his TIO NTFL footballing at Palmerston and the great 2021 season he had playing in the WAFL,” Hargrave said.

“Sandy recently returned to Darwin to compete in the NAB Challenge game in September and was also selected in the Allies squad for 2021.

“To see another Territorian get an opportunity at the elite level and seeing our relationship with the Gold Coast SUNS grow further is fantastic.”

Brock was preselected alongside Gold Coast local and fellow Suns academy player Bodhi Uwland who was named the 2021 Academy Player of the Year.

Suns general manager of player talent and strategy Craig Cameron was confident both players would thrive in the full-time AFL environment.

“Sandy has shown he has potential as a key position player with great height and speed so we look forward to working with him on the next stages of his development,” Cameron said.

“Bodhi has had a fantastic year, playing a key role with the SUNS Academy while also stepping up and performing really well for us at VFL level.”

The Suns hold pick 3 ahead of the 2021 NAB AFL Draft which is scheduled for November 24 and will run over two nights.