StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduate Leo Lombard is the first Telstra Rising Star nominee of 2026 following a strong Opening Round performance against the Cats.
In just his fifth AFL game, the Burleigh Bombers junior kicked two goals from 15 disposals to go with seven score involvements, five inside 50s and four tackles in the dominant win over Geelong.
The nomination is just reward for the 19-year-old who impressed throughout his second pre-season on the SUNS list, which included winning the pre-Christmas 2km time trial.
Taken with Pick 9 in the 2024 AFL Draft, Lombard made his debut in Round 12 last season and played four matches in the second half of the campaign.
Lombard graduated from the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy Male Player of the Year in 2024, also featuring in the club’s VFL premiership victory in 2023 as a 16-year-old.
“We’re thrilled for Leo to have earned a Rising Star nomination,” GC SUNS General Manager of Football Craig Cameron said.
“He has put in a mountain of work over the off-season with a desire to take his game to another level in 2026, and it’s fantastic to see him earn some recognition after a really strong performance on Friday night.”
Lombard joins fellow StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduates Ethan Read, Jake Rogers, Bodhi Uwland and Will Graham in having earned Telstra Rising Star nominations in recent seasons.
