Young Ait Koedal SUN Heidi Talbot is set to run out this Sunday against Geelong, in what will be her first Indigenous Round fixture.

Following a shoulder injury that sidelined her first season, the 2024 draftee has hit the ground running since earning a Round 1 debut earlier this month.

The electric forward has dreamed of competing at the elite level since she was a young teen, looking up to Indigenous All Star and proud Lardil Waanyi Lion Charlie Cameron.

“Growing up Charlie Cameron inspired me cause he's fast and he kicks pretty good goals,” Talbot shared. 

There was another person who inspired the young teen to live out her dream, however.

“I think I wanted to be an AFLW player when I was about 13 and my dad pushed me to be able to get there,” Talbot said.

“My dad has helped me a lot along the way and guided me down the right paths.

“He's an inspirational person and (an epitome) of what hard work looks like.”

Talbot grew up in Saibai Island in the Torres Strait before relocating to Cairns where she joined the North Cairns Tigers as a junior.

Over the years, the hard-running utility competed in field hockey, athletics and cross country but it was an Under 14s trial for the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy that cemented Talbot’s path.

“It was tough. I wasn't really good in school, but to have the opportunity flying back and forth from Cairns to the Gold Coast and be able to now move down and finally play in the AFLW is pretty cool,” the 19-year-old added.

Despite suffering a shoulder injury in her draft year, Talbot ‘s talent was clear and the highly touted prospect was selected with the Gold Coast SUNS’ second pick.

“Being drafted meant a lot, all the work I'd put in finally paid off,” Talbot reflected.

“Not only that, going through the tough (challenges) like moving away from family and friends and having to fly back and forth (had all been worth it).

“Having an opportunity like that and being from a small town is pretty cool.”

The North Queenslander’s journey to a debut looked very different to that of her five fellow Academy draftees.

After an impressive first pre-season, the young SUN was dealt an all too familiar setback, sidelined on the eve of the 2025 AFLW season to undergo shoulder surgery.

Amidst the disappointment Talbot discovered a silver lining, learning more about herself and developing a close bond with Vice-Captain Meara Girvan, whose guidance helped shape her journey back to football.

“(In that time) I learned a lot about patience, and trusting the people that you're working with,” Talbot said.

“I've learned a lot about the mental side too and to journal and a lot of resilience, cause it was tough.

“Meara’s helped me with a lot. We’re shoulder buddies, so there's something in common there and she knows what it’s like.

“She was very good to guide me and show me what attitude I should bring in even being injured, and how hard I should work to be able to get back on to the track.”

Twelve months later, their friendship came full circle, with Girvan presenting Talbot her debutant jumper ahead of the club's season opener.

“It felt so cool to know that I put in the hard work, had lots of setbacks, to then now actually play and live the dream that I was chasing,” Talbot smiled.

“I was really hungry to get back on the field, obviously not playing for a year it was hard, but I was ready to work hard to then be able to play in Round 1.

“I was a bit nervous of course. It’s a very fast game and it was just different.

“That level of footy is what I love to play at and I want to stay playing at that level. I want to keep working hard and keep tapping into my resources around the club.”

The SUNS will don its Indigenous Guernsey, designed by Kombumerri artist Lann Levinge, across Rounds 3 and 4 of the NAB AFLW season, to celebrate and honour the contributions of the First Nations peoples who have shaped our game of football.

The Gold Coast SUNS football club will continue to embrace Talbot’s Torres Strait Islander culture off field, with players and staff invited to participate in traditional dancing, weaving, dressing and arts over the next week.

The proud Ait Koedal woman reflected on what it means to be able to represent her family and mob so far from home. 

“To share your culture with other people is pretty cool. I think people know the surface level but when you actually explain a few things they are really interested,” Talbot said.

“Harbs (Jarrod Harbrow) has been great with bringing the girls in to teach them a bit about Indigenous culture.

“It means a lot. I’m really excited.”

SUNS fans can immerse themselves in a range of Indigenous cultural activations at People First Stadium this Sunday from 2:15pm before Gold Coast take on Geelong at 3:05pm.

Secure the SUNS 2026 Indigenous Guernsey from the SUNS Shop https://shop.goldcoastfc.com.au/