The Gold Coast SUNS are excited to announce the priority signing of Kalinda Howarth to the club.

Howarth was drafted from Coolangatta with pick 31 to the Brisbane Lions in the 2017 AFLW Draft but did not play at AFLW level and was delisted in 2018.

Since then, Howarth went back to the QAFLW, playing seven games with Yeronga in the 2018 season.

This year, she joined Bond University where she has played 15 games and returned to doing what she does best, kicking goals.

The crafty forward booted 31 majors for the season, helping her team to a Grand Final and taking out the league’s goalkicking award. 

20-year-old Howarth has dreamed of playing for the SUNS and will get her opportunity in 2020.

“I’ve expressed it to the world a number of times that it’s been my goal since about 2013 to play for the SUNS,” Howarth said.

“I love this club with my whole heart.

“I’ll say it every day of the week and just to be a part of this club in any capacity is probably my goal for my career.”

Howarth has lived on the Gold Coast her entire life and represented the SUNS in the previous two Winter Series seasons.

Her signature takes the club’s AFLW list to a total of 21 ahead of the upcoming AFLW draft.

GC SUNS AFLW list as of August 28:

Charlotte Hammans
Ellie Hampson
Kitara Whap-Farrar
Jamie Stanton
Tori Groves-Little
Paige Parker
Tiarna Ernst
Jacqui Yorston
Sam Virgo
Lauren Bella
Emma Pittman
Leah Kaslar
Jasmyn Hewett
Jordann Hickey
Sally Riley
Maddy Roberts
Lauren Ahrens 
Molly Ritson
Kate Surman
Tayla Thorn
Kalinda Howarth