THE SUNS Academy convened in Queensland this month to partake in their annual preseason testing event, under the eye of Rookie Me. Under 18 talent from both the boys and girls squads underwent a range of physical tests; from vertical jumps, to sprints and endurance running.

>> SCROLL for all top five results

Top prospects from the boys’ squad strutted their stuff, from Under 16 MVPs to AFL Academy members. It was Josh Zanker-Close who dominated though, with the tall defender achieving top five results in five of the six events. In a wonderful all-round showcase of athleticism, he finished top in the 20m sprint, standing vertical jump, and running vertical jump.

Along with Zanker-Close, over-ager Campbell Lake was unbeaten in multiple events as the best performed athlete in the running vertical jump (R) and yo-yo test. Meanwhile 2007-born jet Zeke Uwland, the brother of Bodhi, blitzed the jumps with top five results in each variation, while also polling third in the agility test.

Midfielder Will Graham was another to impress by snatching podium spots in the 20m sprint and agility test, which 2022 U16 MVP Leonardo Lombard topped. AFL Academy member Jake Rogers snuck into fifth place in said test.

>> Squad: Suns U18 Boys Academy

On the girls’ portion of testing, which saw only the Under 16s put through their paces, Sienna Burnham was the star of the show. She featured in the top five for all-bar one event, including all three jumping tests in a dominant display of her athleticism.

There were a couple of familiar names to have stood out, too. Sunny Lappin, the daughter of Matthew, was another high leaper who soared to top five results off both feet. She’ll be eligible for selection via the Suns Academy, or as a father-daughter to both Carlton and St Kilda in 2025.

Meanwhile, Georja Davies is the latest of her clan to come through the ranks. She’ll look to follow elder sisters Giselle and Fleur into the big leagues, while Darcie is a top-ager this year. Also eligible in 2025, the youngest sibling notched the highest running vertical jump among her Suns teammates.

>> Squad: Suns U18 Girls Academy

TOP 5 RESULTS – BOYS

STANDING VERTICAL JUMP

Josh Zanker-Close – 77cm
Nick Williams – 77cm
Zeke Uwland – 72cm
Will Graham – 72cm
Marlin Corbett – 71cm

RUNNING VERTICAL JUMP (R)

Campbell Lake – 96cm
Zeke Uwland – 95cm
Josh Zanker-Close – 93cm
Beau Addinsall – 91cm
Kyle Greenwood – 91cm

RUNNING VERTICAL JUMP (L)

Josh Zanker-Close – 99cm
Zeke Uwland – 92cm
Nick Williams – 87cm
Campbell Lake – 86cm
Taine Dawson – 82cm

20M SPRINT

Josh Zanker-Close – 2.875 seconds
Charlie Elliott – 2.927 seconds
Will Graham – 2.928 seconds
Finn Hay – 2.946 seconds
Leonardo Lombard – 2.971 seconds

AGILITY TEST

Leonardo Lombard – 8.014 seconds
Will Graham – 8.022 seconds
Zeke Uwland – 8.042 seconds
Josh Zanker-Close – 8.094 seconds
Jake Rogers – 8.212 seconds

YO-YO TEST (level)

Campbell Lake – 21.06
Finn Hay – 21.04
Nick Williams – 21.03
Marlin Corbett – 21.02
Zac Eckersley – 20.08

>> Q&A’s: Ethan Read & Jake Rogers | Will Graham

TOP 5 RESULTS – GIRLS

STANDING VERTICAL JUMP

Amelia Ella – 55cm
Sienna Burnham – 51cm
Georja Davies – 49cm
Dekota Baron – 48cm
Rhianna Ingram – 46cm

RUNNING VERTICAL JUMP (R)

Georja Davies – 60cm
Sunny Lappin – 57cm
Lilly-Ann Ryder – 56cm
Dekota Baron – 55cm
Sienna Burnham – 54cm

RUNNING VERTICAL JUMP (L)

Rhianna Ingram – 59cm
Bronte Parker – 57cm
Sunny Lappin – 54cm
Sienna Burnham – 52cm
Lilly-Ann Ryder – 51cm

20M SPRINT

Billi Hutton – 3.148 seconds
Sienna Burnham – 3.205 seconds
Scarlett Featherstone – 3.219 seconds
Lilly-Ann Ryder – 3.283 seconds
Dekota Baron – 3.32 seconds

AGILITY TEST

Amelia Ella – 8.68 seconds
Rhianna Ingram – 8.756 seconds
Scarlett Featherstone – 8.871 seconds
Mikayla Nurse – 8.891 seconds
Tayla Simpson – 8.985 seconds

YO-YO TEST (level)

Sienna Burnham – 17.06
Georja Davies – 16.04
Lilly-Ann Ryder – 16.01
Mikayla Nurse – 15.08
Amelia Ella – 15.07