Week 1 is in the books for the Gold Coast SUNS AFLW squad ahead of a big 2025 campaign.

Returning to the Austworld Centre on Monday to begin preparations for the campaign beginning in August, the SUNS hit the ground running with a 2km time trial among several on-field sessions under the eye of new Head Coach Rhyce Shaw.

The side features a raft of new faces on the track for the first time. Long-time Demon Lily Mithen traded in red and blue for red and gold for the first time and was joined by five StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduates in Havana Harris, Heidi Talbot, Nyalli Milne, Mia Salisbury and Tara Harrington, all of whom became SUNS throughout last year’s AFLW Draft.

2023 draftee Taya Oliver, who finished her 2024 campaign with a flourish in front of goal, says the group hit the ground running on Monday morning.

“[Week one] was absolutely awesome. We watched a really motivational video about cycling on a Sunday night, so it like trailed through to the Monday morning and we were all just up and about,” Oliver said.

“The vibe around the group is great. Everyone’s picking each other up, we’re all lifting and rising, it’s just been a really good week.”

Experienced defender Katie Lynch, who is ramping up for her second season on the Gold Coast was similarly up-beat on the week one vibes.

“It felt like a new era, a bit of freshness and prosperity,” Lynch said.

Irish utility Clara Fitzpatrick is one of several SUNS in the mix to reach 50 AFLW games in 2025 and says there’s plenty of positivity around the group.

“It’s been great to see everyone back around the club,” Fitzpatrick said.

“Getting back into training alongside everyone has been great, we’re all feeling pretty positive and looking forward to the season ahead.”