The 2018 NAB AFL Women’s Draft kicks off next Tuesday where the nation’s best young female talent vie to be drafted by one of the 10 AFLW clubs.

There are a large number of Gold Coast and North-Queensland based players nominating in 2018 for the Queensland, NSW and Victorian draft pools. 

SUNS Academy and Winter Series members Lauren Bella, Tori Groves-Little and Georgia Brehmer are among the contingent nominating for Queensland after starring in the Under 18 Championships earlier in the year.

Mackay product Bella was one of three Queenslanders to attend the National Draft Combine a few weeks ago where she placed in the top-five for the running vertical leap and the five and 10m sprints.

 Gold Coast Winter Series Development Player award winner Paige Parker is a chance to be drafted in the Queensland pool while Player of the Series and captain, Jordan Membrey, has nominated for the Victorian Pool. 

“It’s a great sign to see so many Gold Coast, Northern Rivers and North Queensland based players nominate for this year’s AFLW draft,” SUNS Head of Women’s Football Fiona McLarty told goldcoastfc.com.au.

“We have 21 of our Winter Series players nominated in this draft which just shows how strong female football is becoming both on the Gold Coast and up north.

“We wish all of our Winter Series and SUNS Academy members, as well as local Gold Coasters good luck and hope to see as many drafted as possible.”

In just 12 months time the SUNS will be able to take part in their first AFLW draft as the club gets set for 2020.

“We’ll be keeping a close eye on this year’s draft to see if there are any players who slip through which we believe have the potential to be AFLW players for the SUNS,” McLarty said. 

“It’s exciting times for the SUNS and I’m sure there will be plenty we can take out of this year’s draft for when we enter the competition in 2020.”