New SUN Sunny Lappin says it was the chance to stay at home and help build something ‘really special’ that ultimately pulled her towards the SUNS.

Lappin became the first of eight StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduates drafted to her hometown club on Monday night with Pick 4 after the SUNS were quick to match a bid from the Adelaide Crows.

Lappin was eligible for father-daughter selection following the storied Carlton and St Kilda careers of her father Matthew, but ultimately, the Gold Coast is where she wanted to be.

“There were so many different things that went into my decision, seeing as it was probably the biggest decision I'll make in my life for a very long time,” Lappin said.

“Ultimately it came down to family and friends and being able to stay home, I think.

“I needed to be somewhere that I was comfortable, somewhere that I knew, and to be able to play with all the same girls that I've been playing with through the Academy and through junior footy and school footy… it’s something that not many other people get and I wasn't going to let that go.

“Dad said to pick what I felt right and decide based on where I thought I was going to play my best footy and not what anybody else tried to tell me. He said it didn't matter because every result that ends with me on an AFLW list was a good one.

“I think I made the best decision for myself.”

Despite following a different career path to her father, the 18-year-old does have her Dad to thank for thrusting her into a sport she quickly realised was somewhat of a calling.

“I played basketball when I was young and the second the AFLW started up Dad threw me into a club and that was when it clicked for me that it is in my blood,” Lappin said.

“I've got something about me that I've inherited from somewhere. When I started playing is when I realised, I'm built for this a little bit.”

The support extends deep in the Lappin family with a long list of Sunny’s nearest and dearest all in the room as her AFLW dreams were realised.

“My mum has been my biggest supporter since I started, she's been in every single game, every single away trip, without fail she's always there. My siblings, you saw my little brother obviously, he's my best friend.

“My little sister, my big sister, to have all those people with me yesterday was so special. I say they're my favourite people and I couldn't do what I do without them, I couldn't be the person I am without them and I love them a great deal.”

Lappin was one of six Gold Coasters taken inside the first 15 picks at Monday’s Telstra AFLW Draft, and one of eight in total, and now finds herself under long-time mentor Rhyce Shaw.

It signals a sign of intent from the SUNS who aren’t resting on their laurels in a bid to turn its on-field fortunes around.

“That was another big thing that went into the decision was that I think that the SUNS are building something really special,” Lappin continued.

“Seeing the girls come through in past Academy groups and all the girls that got drafted yesterday, I can see where it's going and I can see how hard everyone is working to build something really special and I'm really excited that I get to be a part of that.”