Alannah Welsh’s stellar performance against the West Coast Eagles has earned her the Round 2 Telstra AFLW Rising Star nomination.

In just her second game, the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy product was electric across the SUNS forward territory, scoring her first career goal in scintillating fashion before booting a game-high five majors.

The 18-year-old now holds the record as the only player to kick five goals in an AFLW match in their maiden season, and the earliest in their career to achieve the feat (2nd game). Welsh also follows Gold Coast veteran Jamie Stanton (6.2) with the second-most goals kicked by a SUN in a match.

Welsh was selected with Pick 12 in the 2025 NAB AFLW Draft, before earning the opportunity to debut alongside ten Gold Coast recruits in Round 1 against the Western Bulldogs.

The young gun is the first SUNS AFLW player to earn a Rising Star nomination in 2026 and joins fellow teammates Havana Harris, Darcie Davies, Daisy D’Arcy and Charlie Rowbottom to become the eighth SUN to earn an AFLW Rising Star nomination.

“Five goals in a game at this level is an outstanding effort, and Alannah fully deserves the Rising Star recognition,” GC SUNS General Manager of Women’s Football Erin Phillips said.

“She’s an incredibly exciting young player with so much upside and given the work she puts in every single week, it’s no surprise to see her being rewarded with performances like this.

“We are extremely proud of Alannah and I know how happy her teammates and the wider club are for her.”

2026 Telstra AFLW Rising Star nominees: