Gold Coast SUNS Elliott Himmelberg and Beau Addinsall made their return to main training this morning at People First Stadium after beginning the SUNS 2026 campaign on the sidelines.
Since joining the SUNS in the 2024 AFL Trade period, versatile key forward Himmelberg played six VFL games where he amassed 19 disposals, seven marks and four goals in his best outing, prior to sustaining an ACL injury in Round Six against Box Hill.
After a long 11 months in rehab and recovery, prepping his body to come back fit and firing, the 27-year-old was seen involved in today’s training action alongside SUNS teammates.
“I’ve been slowly building up to today and getting back into training, so it was really good to be back,” Himmelberg said.
“Being out there with everyone makes you feel like you’re a bit more a part of it, so it was good just to be in the action today and preparing for the week.
“It definitely feels like I’m in footy season now.”
With Himmelberg's return to training, his sights are now set on working towards making his SUNS senior debut and playing more AFL matches.
“I always build up with the end goal in mind and unfortunately have had to do this quite a lot these past few years with different long-term injuries,” the forward said.
“I'm trying to get into flow with the team now, and we're gearing up for a big year, so I just want to do my best to be as big a part in that as I can be.”
StreetSmarts SUNS Academy product Beau Addinsall, similarly, is yet to take the field in the red, gold and blue this season.
After a hamstring injury left the 2025 draftee sidelined in the early stages of the year, the young SUN is enjoying his return to footy.
“Once you’ve had time off, you’re definitely a lot more grateful when getting to train,” the Burleigh Bombers Junior commented.
“It’s just so much better to be around the group and playing, doing what you love.
“It’s been great working alongside so many boys from the Academy, but also been good to get along with a few of the more experienced boys like Ned Moyle and Zak Evans.”
Despite injury putting a pause on Addinsall’s AFL campaign, the midfielder said time on the sideline gave him a valuable understanding of his body and what it can handle.
Having played a combined 12 VFL games over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the draftee is eager to prove his talents and work towards selection upon his full return.
“Playing VFL the past couple of years and doing a few months with the SUNS in pre-seasons last year has given me a good grasp on the system,” the 19-year-old said.
“I’ll try and get some good form in the VFL again this year, but then debuting is a big goal of mine which I am going to keep working towards.”
The Smithy’s VFL competition is set to face a bye during the upcoming AFL Gather Round.
Watch the SUNS take on the Swans in pink this Saturday from 3:45pm AEST live across Fox Footy and Kayo at a discounted rate with a SUNS Digital Membership.
