Rhyce Shaw has locked in his first side of 2026, with the SUNS set to launch a new era when they face the Western Bulldogs this Saturday night at People First Stadium.
It will be a historic night for the SUNS with a record breaking 10 players named to be making their AFLW debuts.
The next generation of SUNS talent will take centre stage, with seven of the club’s eight StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduates drafted in 2025 earning their place in the Round 1 side.
Ava Usher, Sunny Lappin, Georja Davies, Alannah Welsh, Mikayla Nurse, Dekota Baron and Bronte Parker will all pull on the SUNS guernsey for the first time at AFLW level.
Heidi Talbot finally gets her first senior opportunity, with the talented Cairns youngster set to make her long-awaited debut after injury sidelined her for the 2025 season.
Lily Quigley and Paige Price will round out the fresh faces, with the exciting young duo also set to make their debuts on Saturday night.
While Round 1 will mark the beginning of AFLW careers for many, there will also be plenty of experience joining the side.
Alongside the 10 debutants, veteran Anne Hatchard will make her SUNS debut after joining the club in the off-season, bringing valuable experience to a side featuring plenty of young talent.
Daisy D’Arcy is also set to return to action, playing her first game since the end of the 2024 season after an ACL injury.
The emergencies for Saturday night are Katie Lynch, Meara Girvan, Ellie Veerhuis.
The Round 1 team represents a significant moment for the SUNS, with 13 of the 21 players named in the side being graduates of the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy.
The SUNS will face the Western Bulldogs at People First Stadium on Saturday night, with the season opener kicking off at 7.15pm.
Don’t miss their season. Score five tickets for $50 with a SUNS AFLW Membership.
