The Gold Coast SUNS have added yet another record to the books in 2025, drafting a suite of StreetSmarts SUNS Academy products at night one of the Telstra AFL Draft.
Bids on the highly touted talents were all eagerly matched by the SUNS, with Zeke Uwland (pick 2), Dylan Patterson (pick 5), Jai Murray (pick 17) and Beau Addinsall (pick 18) all graduating onto the SUNS’ AFL list.
With plenty of representation from the Sunshine State in the pointy end of this year’s draft pool, Uwland paid homage to the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy and its commitment to developing local talent.
“It’s pretty special and it shows a lot how much Queensland Footy has grown and how much the Academy has invested,” Uwland said.
“It’s really paying off now - we’re just a product of what they've invested in and we’ve certainly done a lot of work.
“It’s a great reflection of Queensland Footy.”
The young SUNS duo reflected on what it meant to be selected together in the top five and earn the opportunity to don the SUNS colours.
“It’s unreal - being able to grow up playing against someone and playing with them and just being able to see them succeed just as much as you,” Patterson reflected.
“It's just a bit easier to get by knowing that you’ve got one of your teammates next to you.”
Uwland, the No.2 Draft pick and a Burleigh Bombers junior, added, “It’s extremely special to be drafted alongside some Academy players,”
“I’m really grateful that I'll be able to be teammates with them in the future at the highest level.
“It still hasn't sunk in yet, but it certainly will over the next couple of days as we celebrate together.”
A highly sought-after name in the land of Rugby League, Patterson shared why committing to his AFL dream was the obvious choice.
“Obviously, you get little bites from everywhere and you think, let me have a little bite but at the end of the day, I think it's just the bravery to push that aside and just play because you love it,” Patterson said.
“The money looks nice at the time, but I think just having the enjoyment because you have plenty of time to commit and have responsibility to one thing.
“Being able to enjoy it with your mates is more important to me.
“I think when it came to the pointy end, it was pretty easy to make a decision. I just had the right people around me and the right coaches and we’ve just gone on an upwards trajectory from there.”
The SUNS hold Picks 48 & 49 heading into the remaining rounds of the Telstra AFL Draft, to be held on Thursday night.
