GOLD Coast Suns Academy has a stacked list of draft prospects for 2025, though many of them either missed some of, or the entirety of the Coates Talent League Girls season, giving chances to others to stand up in their absence.

The review only includes those who played in the tournament, and while she featured for a game and a quarter, the talented Bronte Parker was not included below but was another who did well when she was on the park.

RESULTS:

Round 3: lost to Dandenong Stingrays by 7 points
Round 4: lost to Eastern Ranges by 17 points
Round 5: lost to Oakleigh Chargers by 21 points
Round 6: def. Northern Knights by 35 points

STANDOUTS

Sunny Lappin
Wing/Midfielder | 170cm | 28/11/2007

The hard-running utility who is eligible to both Carlton and St Kilda under the father-daughter rule (Matthew) gained great experience on the inside against her peers, following on from her great form at Southport this season. A natural winger with her athleticism and smarts, Lappin plays on both sides of midfield comfortably and stepped up in the absence of the injured Parker. Across her four games, Lappin averaged 23.0 disposals, 3.8 marks, 3.5 tackles, 3.0 clearances, 3.0 inside 50s and 3.8 rebound 50s, while also slotting two goals.

Rhianna Ingram
Defender | 167cm | 20/10/2007

Arguably raised her draft stocks more than any other player in the tournament with her consistency out of the back half. Tasked with a lot of the kickouts, Ingram also worked up to half-back and intercepted, using nice composure to switch and change lanes when appropriate. She is capable of playing both offensive and defensive roles, and averaged more than six rebound 50s per match from 25.3 disposals, 3.8 marks and 2.3 tackles.

Georja Davies
Key Position Utility | 185cm | 17/01/2007

Only got the three games in before missing the fourth due to suspension, but Davies played her role as a midfielder, with plenty of attention coming her way. Opposition sides deliberately looked to quell her influence around the stoppages, so the tall utility drifted back at times to be an intercept marking machine and was too tall and clean in the air for just about anyone. The reigning Queensland MVP and potential top five pick averaged 20.0 disposals, 5.7 marks, 4.3 tackles, 2.3 clearances and 3.0 rebound 50s.

Mikayla Nurse
Wing/Midfielder | 168cm | 19/09/2007

Another player who boosted her draft stocks following a wonderful carnival, Nurse got her chance on the inside just like Lappin in the absence of key teammates. A hard-running, athletic speedster, Nurse has done her best work on the outside, but when switched inside starred and averaged more clearances (3.8) than any other player on her side. She also picked up 19.0 disposals, 2.8 marks and laid 3.0 tackles, while still attacking hard with four inside 50s per game. An exciting prospect with upside.

Alannah Welsh
Forward | 169cm | 23/11/2007

The only National Academy member of the four to play every game, Welsh booted goals for fin and finished with nine majors from four games. She kicked six more than any other Suns player and looked ultra damaging close to the big sticks, or really anywhere within range. The Southport talent also averaged 13.0 disposals and laid 4.3 tackles per game, playing with a great aggression at the ball carrier. She is another with natural traits who can get even better.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Annabelle Foat
Midfielder/Forward | 164cm | 23/04/2007

Despite playing all four games, Foat was not always played in her usual on-ball role. She got her chance at half-forward too, and looked to add that as a secondary position ahead of the national championships having played there in the past. She has the pressure game for it, averaging 5.3 tackles per game, as well as 18.3 disposals and 2.3 marks and is generally neat all around the ground. Will likely reprise more of an on-ball role at the championships, but not doubt rotate forward.

Aleah Stringer
Forward | 165cm | 30/01/2007

Certainly did her draft chances no harm playing in a high half-forward role despite not actually kicking a goal. Her ability to transition the ball from midfield inside 50 was important, and she pushed up to win a handful of clearances as well. In the end, the speedy and smart forward averaged 13.0 disposals, 2.3 marks. 2.5 inside 50s and laid five tackles per game, which was the third most of anyone on the Suns team throughout the carnival.

Sienna Burnham
Midfielder | 162cm | 12/07/2007

A natural leader who just has a real crack, Burnham enjoyed a consistent campaign playing all four games for the Suns. She is not a massive accumulator compared to some others, but does win a fair chunk at the coalface, laying a team-high 5.8 tackles per game. She works and runs hard to get to the outside and impact there as well. It will be fascinating to see her role at the national championships, likely a pressure forward with that midfield rotation.

INTO THE FUTURE

Summer Browning
Wing/Forward | 166cm | 16/12/2008

Showed some terrific signs on the outside as a smart and skilful player. She used the ball incredibly well and was not afraid to switch play, change lanes and takes risks with ball in hand. More than capable overhead, Browning took grass wherever possible and backed herself to impact the game in that way. She has some great upside for the future, and while she only averaged the 11 touches from her four games, it felt like far more given her high impact-per-possession.

Tara Nieass
Forward | 172cm | 14/03/2009

The double bottom-ager came in for game two and held her place across the last three games after an impressive Under 16s campaign. She booted a goal with her first kick at the level, and then narrowly missed another shortly after. She would finish with three for the league, the second most behind Welsh. Nieass at times did not get a lot of opportunities, but has an outstanding vertical leap, taking the second ruck duties and averaging almost seven hitouts per game along with 3.3 tackles.

Asia Single
Midfielder | 171cm | 11/10/2009

The younger sister of Gold Coast’s Lucy, Single is one to watch over the next two years. She can find her own ball, move through traffic well and attack it equally hard. Though she only played the one game, Single looked a natural with 17 disposals, two tackles and three clearances, backing up from her Under 16s carnival – where she only played one game – and stood out again.

SUMMARY

Gold Coast Suns Academy had to really work the magnets considering the outs across the Coates Talent League Girls campaign. Despite missing a host of first-choice players – including two National Academy members – the Suns were competitive against the very best sides in the competition, and then were rewarded for effort with a road win over the Northern Knights.