With four weeks to go until a Round 1 clash out west against the Eagles, the SUNS took the chance to train in match-like conditions at People First Stadium on Thursday morning.
In picture perfect conditions, new SUNS captains Lucy Single and Niamh McLaughlin showed no signs of slowing down from career-best seasons in 2024, playing influential roles both on-ball and dashing off half-back respectively.
Newest recruit Ellie Veerhuis showed plenty of poise and dash on a wing, as did 2023 draftee Sienna McMullen who’ll be eyeing a long-awaited AFLW debut in 2025.
Most commonly seen on a wing in her debut season, Annabel Kievit made an influence in the forward line, converting at the end on the end of several passages of play inside forward 50 involving Darcie Davies and Jamie Stanton.
Off the back of a breakout season in 2024, Ella Maurer was impactful behind the ball, as was 2km time trial winner Elise Barwick in the forward line.
StreetSmarts Academy graduate Nyalli Milne was explosive inside forward 50, while fellow 2025 draftees Tara Harrington and Mia Salisbury have slotted well into the club’s midfield and defensive set-ups.
The SUNS face its first test against AFLW opposition in match simulation against the Brisbane Lions next Friday, July 25 at Brighton Homes Arena.
