The GC SUNS Talent Academy continued to demonstrates its ability to provide a pathway to the AFL, with ruckman and tall forward Braydon Preuss selected by North Melbourne with selection 15.

Preuss, from a rugby league background in Townsville, continued to adjust to AFL in 2014 as a member of the GC SUNS Talent Academy. He also averaged six touches, four marks and three tackles at 75 per cent efficiency during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships representing Queensland.

Preuss joins Lachie Weller as graduates from the GC SUNS Talent Academy to be drafted in 2014. Weller was selected by the Fremantle Dockers with pick 13 last Thursday night.

GC SUNS Talent Academy Manager, Jason Torney, said 2014 was a successful year for the academy program, with a player drafted from both the Gold Coast & North Queensland zones of the academy.

“The Gold Coast SUNS Talent Academy are rapt that Braydon has joined Lachie Weller in being drafted to an AFL club in 2014,” Torney said.

“The academy provides young athletes with a unique opportunity to participate in a first-class sport and education experience facilitated by AFL Queensland and the Gold Coast SUNS.”

Weller and Preuss join previous graduates of the GC SUNS Talent Academy, Andrew Boston and Jarred Ellis, who were both recruited by the Gold Coast SUNS in 2012 and 2013, respectively.