IN a new series, we take a look at the hidden gems of the AFL Women’s competition. These are the players who aren’t the household names, might not get noticed by opposition fans and teams but are still stars in their own right.

In today’s article, we take a look at Gold Coast‘s Tara Bohanna.

Post the 2021 AFLW draft, Gold Coast went about drafting two mature age recruits from the VFLW competition. One was Essendon’s Alana Barba, the other was Southern Saints’ co-captain Tara Bohanna.

Although Bohanna may not be a well known name outside Victoria yet, Gold Coast Suns fans will be pleased to know their club has unearthed a high-upside player. She is a tall forward, with a strong marking ability and a good kick.

In the season just gone, she averaged 16.8 disposals, 4.4 marks and 3.7 tackles per game. It included a stellar performance in Round 14 clash against North. In that match, she kicked three goals and had 25 disposals in the win.

In her 16 matches for the Saints this season, she kicked 19 goals to finish third in the League’s leading goal kicking tally. Bohanna also won the Saints’ Best and Fairest Award in 2021, capping off a fine season. After being overlooked at the draft, she was picked up by the Suns and will be a valuable asset to the Suns forward line.

The Suns are lacking a tall and strong target in their forward line. Bohanna will certainly fill that gap in their line-up. Yes they do have Sarah Perkins, but she often plays too far up the ground and she is also only one player. If she is playing further up the ground, then who will the tall target in their forward line be?

She has had to bide her time, waiting for her opportunity to make it at AFLW level. Bohanna may not be a well known 18-year-old, she has been hiding away in the VFLW, working hard to finally make it. She may not be very well known now, but that will not be the case for long. She has gone to the ideal side for her to be able to shine and thrive.

Who knows, maybe she is the component that the Suns’ have been missing all this time. Will she be the answer the Suns have needed to climb back up the ladder? Only time will tell.