StreetSmarts SUNS Academy talent Georja Davies has been named the Round 12 Telstra AFLW Rising Star to become the Gold Coast SUNS’ fourth nominee this historic AFLW season.
Featuring across all 12 rounds in her debut season, the 184-cm SUN has cemented herself as a consistent force in Rhyce Shaw’s last line of defence, and stood tall with six intercept possessions in Sunday’s nail-biting victory over GWS.
Joining sister Darcie in the red, gold and blue with Pick 9 in the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft, the highly-touted defender became the fourth Davies sibling to graduate through the Academy onto an AFLW list.
The Southport Sharks junior was All-Australian at both Under 16 and 18 levels before earning the inaugural female AFL Life Members Education Assistance Award alongside West Coast’s Willem Duursma in her draft year.
In what has been a monumental campaign for the SUNS, the 19-year-old has achieved yet another milestone alongside fellow Academy graduates and Rising Star nominees Alannah Welsh (Round 2), Dekota Baron (Round 7) and Ava Usher (Round 9), and will be eying the opportunity to play in her first AFLW Finals Series this Sunday.
Don’t miss Georja’s moment. Secure your tickets and cheer on the SUNS in the AFLW First Elimination Final this Sunday at People First Stadium from 2:05pm.
“We’re incredibly proud of Georja. She’s played an important role for us in her first season and her consistency has been outstanding,” Gold Coast SUNS General Manager of Women’s Football Erin Phillips said.
“Georja has made a strong start to her AFLW career and, heading into Finals, we’re excited to watch her continue to develop.
“To have four players earn Rising Star nominees this season is really exciting for our football club and a reflection of the work that goes into nurturing talent through our StreetSmarts SUNS Academy.”
2026 Telstra AFLW Rising Star nominees:
R1: Sierra Grieves (Richmond)
R2: Alannah Welsh (Gold Coast SUNS)
R3: Lauren Young (Port Adelaide)
R4: Jordyn Allen (Melbourne)
R5: Jade McLay (St Kilda)
R6: Olivia Wolmarans (Richmond)
R7: Dekota Baron (Gold Coast SUNS)
R8: Ashley Centra (Collingwood)
R9: Ava Usher (Gold Coast SUNS)
R10: Chloe Bown (Adelaide)
R11: Chantal Mason (Geelong)
R12: Georja Davies (Gold Coast SUNS)
