Gold Coast’s AFLW squad had an influx of talent at training over the last week with five members of the AFLW National Academy spending time amongst the group. 

Gold Coast-based SUNS Academy prospects and sisters Maddison and Teagan Levi were joined by Townsville’s Daisy D’Arcy and the Northern Territory’s Stephanie Williams. 

The quartet’s week consisted of three field training sessions and two gym sessions in line with the SUNS’ regular training program in the lead-up to the beginning of the AFLW season.

Another Gold Coast Academy player Annise Bradfield has been spending one day a week with the club.

Head of Women’s Football Fiona McLarty said it was fantastic to welcome such exciting young players into the club to experience a week in the life of an AFLW player.

“It’s been great to see these five National Academy girls integrate into our squad over the last week,” McLarty told SUNS Media.

“Annise, Maddi and Teagan know the facilities quite well having been a part of the SUNS Academy training programs at the Austworld Centre, and showed they have a bright future ahead of them. 

“It was also good to have Daisy down from Townsville and Steph from Darwin to be around the group and have a benchmark to work towards. 

“It’s been a great opportunity for them to learn off some of the most experienced AFLW players in the country but also for us to get a look at some of the skills these girls have.”

The Northern Territory also had talented defender Janet Baird spending time with the SUNS as a train-on player for the AFLW squad. 

Baird will spend three weeks with the club and attend all training sessions. 

NT Thunder Women’s Academy Manager Heidi Thompson spent the week on the Gold Coast overseeing the development of Baird and Williams. 

“It was great for the NT to have two girls train with the Gold Coast SUNS,” Thompson told SUNS Media. 

“Steph really enjoyed the experience and impressed the other girls with her speed and willingness to get involved throughout the week.

“It’s also been a great opportunity for Janet to test herself against established AFLW players and so far she’s been up to the task. 

“We’re really looking forward to continuing to strengthen this relationship with the Gold Coast SUNS in the future.”