Leo Lombard’s impressive second AFL season has been recognised at Saturday’s SUNS Club Champion with the 19-year-old taking out the People First Bank Emerging Player.

Lombard featured in all 23 matches for the SUNS in a season that started in sparkling fashion with two goals and a Rising Star nomination in Opening Round.

He would go on to kick 18 goals himself while no SUNS contributed more goal assists than Lombard’s 19. Only Noah Anderson, Touk Miller and Christian Petracca recorded more score involvements for Damien Hardwick’s side than the Burleigh Bombers junior.

Lombard hit the scoreboard in 12 matches, including a career-best three goals in the final match of the year against St Kilda.

Previous recipients include Bailey Humphrey (2025) Mac Andrew (2024), Noah Anderson (2020 & 2022) and Charlie Ballard (2019).