Nine games into her AFLW career, Round 9 Rising Star nominee Ava Usher is already making her mark on the AFLW stage and giving SUNS fans plenty of reasons to be excited.
Averaging 13 disposals, four tackles, four score involvements and one goal per game, the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduate is proving that her influence extends well beyond the scoreboard.
Gold Coast SUNS AFLW Head Coach Rhyce Shaw praised Usher, who is the third young SUN to be named Rising Star this season.
“Ava's a special talent,” Shaw said.
“We've got a number of players that fit that category, but for Ava this week especially. She's evolved her game.
“She’s got the ability to win the footy and go forward and hit the scoreboard.”
That attacking ability was evident long before Usher pulled on a SUNS guernsey.
As a junior, she collected accolades at a remarkable rate, earning best and fairest honours for Queensland at the 2023 Under 16 national championships as a bottom-ager, before securing Under 18 All-Australian honours at just 16 years old.
Her performances also earned recognition in the QAFLW, where she was named in the Team of the Year and awarded the competition's Rising Star.
But while her junior career established her as a player to watch, the path to the AFLW was not without its challenges.
Injuries interrupted both her 2024 season and her 2025 draft year, however her first season at the SUNS is providing an opportunity to showcase the player she has been working towards becoming.
“My defence is something I really went to work on at the start of the year,” the 19-year-old said.
“Trying to help out my teammates and work hard for them. Those defensive moments are more important to us.”
That commitment has been reflected in her performances, with her defensive pressure becoming an increasingly important part of her contribution.
Usher recorded 13 tackles in the week prior to earning Rising Star recognition, highlighting the work rate that has complemented her ability to win possessions and light up the scoreboard.
“Ava’s been able to impact games in all phases, and I think that's part of what we try and preach at our footy club,” Shaw said.
“She's always had great intensity, and now she’s able to be consistent.
“She gets to work, and she always puts her hand up.”
As the SUNS continue to build momentum, Usher's emergence is another encouraging sign for the young group.
“Coming in as a first-year player, there’s not much more you can do than play your role and try and leave a little bit of an imprint,” Usher said.
“I want to help others be their best as well.”
Her Rising Star nomination marks an important milestone, but her growing influence across the ground suggests there is plenty more to come for the SIXT STAR in the making.
Catch Usher in action when the Gold Coast SUNS take on the Adelaide Crows this Saturday from 12:05pm AEST. Stream via Fox Footy, Kayo and Binge.
