SUNS defender Dee Heslop has made history after being named in the first official AFL New Zealand Heritage Team.

The team consists of 18 players currently playing in the AFLW and recognises the best players to either have been born in New Zealand or have New Zealand parentage.

Heslop has been named on the wing and features in the team which also includes the likes of Jasmine Garner, Jesse Wardlaw, Richelle Cranston, Lauren Pearce and Sabreena Duffy.

Heslop was born in Auckland and moved to Australia at 10 years of age.

She began playing football for Southport Sharks and soon later was accepted into the SUNS Academy to fast-track her development.

Heslop was drafted with the 69th pick in the 2019 NAB AFL Women’s Draft and made her AFLW debut in Round 1, 2020 against GWS.

At just 20 years of age, she has played every possible match since making her debut, 16 in total for the SUNS.

2021 AFL New Zealand Women’s Heritage Team:

B

Rheanne Lugg

Mhicca Carter

 

HB

Najwa Allen

Richelle Cranston

Angelique Stannett

C

Dee Heslop

Killarney Morey

Tahlia Randell

HF

Jesse Wardlaw

Stevie-Lee Thompson

Sabreena Duffy

F

Brooke Walker

Lauren Pearce

 

FOLL

Breann Moody

Kristy Stratton

Jasmine Garner

IC

Indy Tahau

Celine Moody

Jolyn Collins

 

McKenzie Dowrick