TIED to three clubs with a famous father, Queensland AFLW Draft prospect Sunny Lappin is forging her own path in football. The daughter of 251-gamer Matthew has links to the Blues and Saints where her dad spent 196 and 55 games respectively, as well as her homegrown academy through the Gold Coast Suns.
Lappin is in the middle of an incredible breakout year, and yesterday was announced as Queensland’s MVP from the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships. The talented top-ager averaged 25.3 disposals, 5.5 clearances, 4.3 tackles and 4.5 inside 50s for the Maroons, and has been putting up crazy numbers for Southport in the QAFL Women’s as well.
Speaking to Lappin following her MVP win yesterday, the midfielder spoke of what it’s like playing under her father at the Sharks, her three-way club decision, game and who she looks up to at the elite level.
Q: Sunny, you’ve just won the Queensland MVP, what’s it mean to you? What’s it been like for you this carnival?
SL: “It means a lot to me obviously. I’m very happy with my couple of games over the champs. I had a lot of fun which I think was the most important part and then I’ve just been cracking in on a lot of my stoppage and clearance work and I think I’ve shown that, and I’ve used it well. I was just lucky to get a run in the midfield and have it pay off for me.”
Q: There’s been a fair few Injuries this year both at the Suns and Queensland, has that helped you to move outside to inside role?
SL: “Yeah, it sucks to see people go down but the opportunity that it gave me, I’m grateful to be in the position that I am. I’m just lucky that I could hold the standard to what the players before me were.”
Q: In terms of your footy journey, how did you start and tell us the pathway you took to get to where you are now?
SL: “I started playing 2017, just under 11s at club. The second the AFLW started, dad threw me into a team so just picked up the footy and loved it ever since.”
Q: Your dad is the current coach at Southport, what’s that like playing under him?
SL: “I thought it was going to be worse than it is, but no, it’s been really good because I know he always has my best interests and he’s always looking out for me and he pushes me and I know that what he says is good and correct, so I listen to him.”
Q: You’ve got a fair bit of a decision to make at the end of the year (picking between Gold Coast, Carlton and St Kilda), how much does that weigh on you throughout the year?
SL: “I think I’m just lucky to have that as an opportunity with the three clubs that I’m tied to, and I think I’m going to ride out the season and finish off as strong as I can and then assess my options I guess. I’ve just got to keep playing well, that’s my only goal.”
Q: Outside of that, it’s now a National Draft and even excluding the ties, has that been something been on your mind that potentially means moving interstate?
SL: “I think everyone thinks about the differences that would mean, but I think that is also a really positive thing because it shows that the game is growing and that there’s so many more opportunities for women in sport. I know that it’s probably my best opportunity to get better really.”
Q: What do you see as some of the strengths in your game?
SL: “I reckon my skills and my ability to use the ball and find targets and then my IQ. I reckon that’s my best attribute.”
Q: What are you looking to improve on at the moment?
SL: “Everything physical. Just build my strength, build my speed, and then win more of my own footy in a one-on-one area.”
Q: Is there a player you look up to or model your game on?
SL: “I think Mon Conti‘s a beast, and I think when it comes to using my body, I watch her and I’m like ‘that’s what I want to do’ and I see that.”
Q: Which AFL/W club do you support?
SL: “Carlton.”
Q: Was that purely because of dad playing there the longest?
SL: “Yeah, we love Carlton, he was there forever and they’re a good club.”
Q: What goals do you set for yourself from here for the rest of the year?
SL: “Just keep improving, next game have better efficiency or hit another inside 50 or each game there’s always something I can work on. Get another tackle, get something. Small things, but get better each game.”
Q: Southport is having a great year, how do you describe being in that team?
SL: “I think I just love the group so it’s always a pleasure to come in and play when I get those chances and I was definitely worried going into it this year with dad as a coach that I would feel kept out or alienated almost, but they’ve been really, really good about it and they’re really positive. Just to have the season that we’re having is a testament to how strong we are as a group and how hard we work.”
Q: Just finally, what role do you see yourself playing at the top level?
SL: “Given my size and the size of the others I would probably put myself as a wing, half-forward or a half-back and then depending on how I grow, how I develop, I would love to get inside if I can.”
