The Gold Coast SUNS are poised to make history with a record breaking 11 league and club debutants named to take the field in Saturday’s AFLW season opener at People First Stadium.
Ten young SUNS including eight StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduates will make their AFLW debuts alongside veteran Anne Hatchard who is set to officially don the SUNS colours for the first time.
Less than 12 months since claiming a QAFLW premiership together and graduating from the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy, Southport Sharks products Sunny Lappin, Georja Davies, Mikayla Nurse and Dekota Baron will all get their first taste of AFLW football against the Western Bulldogs.
Fellow 2025 draftees Ava Usher, Alannah Welsh and Bronte Parker have also been included in Rhyce Shaw’s side for Round 1, as has fellow Academy talent Heidi Talbot who will make a long-awaited debut having overcome a shoulder injury that sidelined her for 2025.
After an impressive pre-season, the SUNS latest recruits Paige Price and Lily Quigley have also earned an opportunity at AFLW level. Price, the 2025 rebel VFLW Team of the Year ruck, joined as a replacement player for Georgia Clayden, while the highly-touted Brisbane Lions Academy product, Quigley, was selected with Pick 1 in May’s Pre-Season Draft.
The ten debutants - an AFLW record for the most in a single game barring a club’s inaugural match - will be rounded out with an 11th new face with SUNS fans sure to be excited to see AFLW star Hatchard make her club debut. With more than 100 games under her belt, the decorated midfielder brings a wealth of experience and elite standards to the program.
Gold Coast SUNS General Manager of Women’s Football Erin Phillips said the milestone marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the club.
“Ten AFLW debutants and one club debutant marks the beginning of a new era for the Gold Coast Suns,” Phillips said.
“It’s really special to witness the beginning of these players’ AFLW careers, and there’s a real sense of excitement building around our women’s program and the wider club.
“With several local talents earning the opportunity to represent their home club, it’s also a proud moment for our Gold Coast community and the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy.
“We can’t wait to see them take the field and make their mark, and we can’t wait to hear our SUNS fans loud and proud on Saturday night.”
The SUNS final team will be named tonight at 6:20pm AEST, before Gold Coast launch its season under the lights at People First Stadium this Saturday, 15 August.
Don’t miss their season. Score five tickets for $50 with a SUNS AFLW Membership.
