The Gold Coast SUNS learned plenty in its 1.8 (14) to 6.4 (40) season opener against the Western Bulldogs at People First Stadium on Saturday night.
In what was a wet night on the Gold Coast, the ten debutants gained invaluable experience and showed plenty of promise.
Up forward, StreetSmarts SUNS Academy product Ava Usher (16 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 4 score involvements) involved herself in plenty of the action, assisting fellow Burleigh Bombers junior Havana Harris to put the SUNS on the board. The 19-year-old found plenty of the ball in the midfield in the second half.
SUNS fans will be excited to see more of Sunny Lappin (14 disposals) this season. The SUNS number one draft pick looked dangerous as she soaked up valuable midfield minutes and made the most of her opportunities with ball in hand.
2025 rebel VFLW Team of the Year ruck Paige Price provided a strong presence around the ground all night against a quality Bulldogs opponent.
Midfield counterparts, Mikayla Nurse and Bronte Parker brought plenty of energy early, with a momentum-changing tackle from Parker in the first quarter.
Up forward, Heidi Talbot brought her trademark speed and pressure, while Alannah Welsh, Dekota Baron, Lily Quigleyworked hard in their first outings.
Further down the field, Georja Davies impressed in her first game in defence with a number of important intercept marks.
Amongst a handful of experience on the field, decorated midfielder Anne Hatchard (four clearances, 17 disposals) worked tirelessly around the ground alongside leaders Niamh McLaughlin (25 disposals, 10 intercept possessions), Lucy Single (20 and 8 tackles) and Charlie Rowbottom (25 and 15 contested possessions) who showed the young SUNS how it’s done, amassing game-high stats all round.
And after 658 days on the sidelines, Daisy D’Arcy (19 disposals, 320 metres gained) was back like she never left, bringing her run, carry and damaging left foot back to the AFLW stage.
The SUNS now turn their attention to next Saturday’s clash against the West Coast Eagles in Perth.
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