Paige Price's journey to the Gold Coast SUNS has been anything but straightforward.
The dual-sport athlete was recruited to the SUNS as an injury replacement player following an impressive VFLW campaign, earning selection in the 2025 VFLW Team of the Year.
The 23-year-old started her football journey at 14, where she played one season of junior footy before choosing to stick with basketball.
“Basketball Australia said I couldn't make Australian teams if I was playing footy,” Price said.
“So I had to choose. I chose basketball because I'd put so much time and effort into it.”
Basketball took Price to college, but when that experience didn't go as planned, she found herself returning to Melbourne, where she landed on St Kilda's list as an 18-year-old.
“Unbeknownst to me, I had a hip injury at the time, which I thought was back pain. I didn't hit the pitch at all that season.”
Her journey wasn't without its detours, including a return to the VFLW in the following years.
Alongside football, Price was also pursuing her studies in Biomedicine and, for a time, juggling football, basketball and university.
“I didn't have a day off at all when I was playing games and all that kind of stuff,” Price said.
“So I had to choose, and I just wanted to give footy a crack.”
Six games into the basketball season, Price made the decision to walk away from the sport and commit fully to football.
After a strong VFLW season, the SUNS invited Price to Queensland for a week of training.
Now, after years of uncertainty, setbacks and decisions between two sports, Price finds herself on an AFLW list. And remarkably just months later, found herself running out for her AFLW debut in Round 1.
Transitioning into the SUNS environment, Price showed promising signs for the year ahead, impressing throughout pre-season and in her appearances in practice matches before having 11 hitouts to go with five disposals and two tackles in testing conditions against the Bulldogs in Saturday’s season opener.
“I think the level of football and skills is very different to VFL,” Price said.
“Here you don't want to make mistakes. You want to do well for yourself and others.”
For Price, the opportunity to finally settle into one football program has been significant, allowing her to take the next step without putting too much pressure on what comes next.
“Honestly, I just take it week by week,” Price said.
“I just go with the flow kind of thing.
“I want to compete and show everyone that I can play at this level, and have fun.”
From a 14-year-old trying out football, to a college basketballer, VFL ruck and now AFLW player, Price's journey has taken plenty of unexpected turns, with the next path hopefully to include many more appearances in the red, gold and blue.
