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The Gold Coast SUNS today finalised its playing list for the 2013 season, adding 18-year-old Gold Coaster Andrew Boston and 22-year-old VFL player Leigh Osborne to the rookie list.
Boston and Osborne had both been training with the GC SUNS following last months NAB AFL Draft held on the Gold Coast.
GC SUNS General Manager Football Operations said the pair join the GC SUNS from different backgrounds.
"We are thrilled to have Andrew and Leigh join the Gold Coast Football Club."
“Andrew is a product of the Gold Coast and this year graduated from the GC SUNS Talent Academy while Leigh is a mature player who joins us via the VFL where he played for Frankston last season.”
Ashcroft confirmed that the GC SUNS pre-listed Boston as a local talent rookie selection, enabling him to join the club immediately after the pre-season draft.
“Andrew played junior football for the Broadbeach Cats, and also played a number of matches with our reserves side in 2012 and as product of our junior academy our list establishment rules allowed us to pre-list him prior to the rookie draft,” Ashcroft said.
In praising his final year as a junior Ashcroft confirmed Boston always remained on the GC SUNS radar.
"He had an exceptional year playing through the State U18s competition earning All-Australian selection and was named the 2012 NEAFL Rising Star."
“Andrew’s talent has never been questioned; he has played a lot of footy through the midfield as well as behind the ball in the backline and has kicked a number of goals as a small forward.”
In recruiting Boston, Ashcroft confirmed that the GC SUNS would have three Gold Coasters on the teams list in 2013 that includes eleven Queenslanders.
"We have always said that we wanted to be a vehicle for Queenslanders to be drafted and Andrew now becomes the eleventh Queenslander on our list of 45 players."
The GC SUNS took Osborne with the second selection in Tuesday’s Rookie Draft.
The 186cm half-back has come from the clouds, or at least East Ringwood in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, to become one of the most highly rated VFL players.
“Osborne has a sharp burst of speed and a long left-foot kick, making him a classic 80m run-and-carry player. He has impressed us all in his short period of time at the club and well and truly deserves his spot on the rookie list.”
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