The Gold Coast SUNS have added two new players to its AFLW list for the upcoming season, recruiting Victorian pair Alana Barba and Tara Bohanna.

The duo have been given a chance on an AFLW list after the SUNS moved Emma Pittman and Annise Bradfield to the inactive list for the 2021/22 NAB AFLW Premiership Season.

Pittman has informed the club of her aspiration to explore exciting new opportunities with the expansion of her hospitality business, and will therefore not be available for the upcoming season.

Bradfield is recovering from a long-term knee injury and will not play this season, with the club taking the opportunity to move her to the inactive list in order to add more depth to the squad.

Barba, 19, is a ferocious tackler and exciting midfielder/forward who comes from the Essendon VFLW program.

She played 17 VFLW matches in 2021, booting 11 goals and averaging 16.5 disposals and 7.3 tackles per game.

Bohanna, 26, is a key forward from the Southern Saints in the VFLW and is fresh off winning the club’s Best & Fairest in 2021.

She kicked 19 goals in her 16 matches to finish third overall in the league’s goalkicking and also averaged 16.8 disposals, 4.4 marks and 3.7 tackles per game.

SUNS Head of Women’s Football Fiona Sessarago said the new additions would bolster areas of need.

“We’re really excited by what both Alana and Tara can bring to the club,” Sessarago said.

“Alana has great flexibility in her game and is a very dynamic player which we look forward to adding to our mix.

“Tara is a goalkicker who will provide us with another target inside 50 to give us a new dimension in our forward line which we haven’t had previously.”

Sessarago also commented on the impact both Pittman and Bradfield would continue to have on the club.

“Emma has been a valuable member of the playing group in her two seasons so far and has shown great determination to return from long-term knee injuries which saw her win the Coach’s Award last year,” Sessarago said.

“Annise was taken as our first draft selection last year as a SUNS Academy graduate and she’s contracted for next season so we see a bright future for her with the club.”

The AFLW pre-season is scheduled to get underway on September 1.