Jed Walter and Kiara Bischa have won the 2023 Academy Player of the Year Award after standout years with the Gold Coast SUNS Academy and at representative level.

Walter has had an exceptional season of football at all levels, earning him the honour of Academy Player of the Year whilst impressing in the final stages before the 2023 AFL Draft.

Consistently damaging in the front half, Walter is a threat both in the air and on the ground which was demonstrated at Academy level and during the Under 18 National Championships where he kicked 11 goals from four matches.

Known for his marking and goal-kicking, Walter is undeniably a star of the future and with his pressure acts and tackling skills, he will be a very difficult match-up for years to come.

18-year-old key defender, Kiara Bischa has received honours for Academy Player of the Year following a career-best season which included an All-Australian selection after the 2023 Under 18 Girls National Championships.

Her professionalism for a young player is profound both on and off the field, and being a top-age Academy product, she has led by for her younger SUNS Academy peers.

Bischa is recognised as on the of the best key-defenders in the nation after a stellar best-on-ground performance in Queensland’s match over eventual winners, South Australia in the National Championships.

She is an extremely strong player that thrives in the marking contests and very rarely loses a one-on-one, averaging 8.7 disposals, 4 tackles, and 3.7 rebound-50s per game.

Walter and Bischa join a list of previous winners of the Academy Player of the Year award which includes Connor Budarick, Alana Gee, Bodhi Uwland and Teagan Levi.