2023 draftee Sienna McMullen is set to make her long-awaited AFLW debut this Sunday afternoon at Great Barrier Reef Arena.
Selected with pick 51 in the 2023 Telstra AFLW Draft for her agility, endurance and speed the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy product is yet to feature at an AFLW level having overcome multiple injuries.
After spending her first year inactive recovering from an ACL injury followed by an immense 12-week pre-season under new Head Coach Rhyce Shaw, McMullen was roaring for her first taste of professional football.
The 20-year-old’s opportunity eventuated in a pre-season match simulation in July, when the SUNS took on the Brisbane Lions under the Friday night lights at Brighton Homes Arena. But it wasn’t long before the young SUN left the field with a heel complaint.
McMullen ultimately learned her fate when scans revealed a bone stress injury in her calcaneus would further delay her debut for a minimum of eight weeks.
Fast forward to Thursday morning’s main training session ahead of Round 10’s clash against the Western Bulldogs, McMullen’s parents, Scott and Kylie, and Border Collie Scout surprised Sienna at the Austworld Oval with her debut Pride Guernsey.
There were plenty of excited cheers and very few dry eyes as the squad mobbed McMullen in SUNS fashion.
Gold Coast SUNS Head of Women’s Football Fiona Sessarago shared her elation for the 2024 SUNS Most Professional player.
“Sienna has worked incredibly hard to overcome injury and return stronger than ever,” Sessarago told SUNS Media.
“Sienna’s resilience, patience and professionalism throughout her rehabilitation journey has been admirable.
“We’re thrilled for her and can’t wait to see another one of our home-grown talents run out in the red, gold and blue this Sunday.”
McMullen, fit and firing, will join the SUNS on their annual journey to Mackay this weekend to take on the Western Bulldogs at 4:05PM AEST.
Shaw’s Round 10 squad will be announced at 5.20pm Thursday October 16 before the final SUNS team is locked in on Friday October 17.
