GOLD Coast battled through a tough AFLW year after promising seasons prior, finishing bottom two and replacing coach Cam Joyce with incumbent Rhyce Shaw. Skipper Tara Bohanna left for Carlton, but the Suns were able to bring in a host of young guns to keep them well stocked for the future.

LAST SEASON IN A NUTSHELL

Position: 17th
Wins: 1
Losses: 9
Draws: 1

B&F: Charlie Rowbottom
Leading Goalkicker: Tara Bohanna (9 goals)

OFF-SEASON MOVES

Ins: Lily Mithen (Melbourne), Tara Harrington (Suns Academy/AFLW Draft), Havana Harris (Suns Academy/AFLW Draft), Nyalli Milne (Suns Academy/AFLW Draft), Mia Salisbury (Suns Academy/AFLW Draft), Heidi Talbot* (Suns Academy/AFLW Draft), Ellie Veerhuis (injury replacement player/Swans Academy), Tayla Gregory (injury replacement player/Southport)
Outs: Tara Bohanna (Carlton), Ashanti Bush, Alana Gee, Jordan Membrey, Lauren McConville, Cara McCrossan, Vivien Saad (delisted), Daisy D’Arcy (inactive, ACL)

*recently inactive due to injury

2025 TEAM LIST

#1 Annabel Kievit
#2 Lauren Bella
#3 Darcie Davies
#4 Claudia Whitfort
#5 Maddy Brancatisano
#6 Elise Barwick
#7 Katie Lynch
#8 Charlie Rowbottom
#9 Clara Fitzpatrick
#10 Ella Maurer
#11 Niamh McLaughlin
#12 Havana Harris
#13 Lucy Single
#14 Lily Mithen
#15 Wallis Randell
#16 Ella Smith
#17 Jamie Stanton
#18 Georgia Clayden
#19 Mia Salisbury
#20 Daisy D’Arcy*
#21 Heidi Talbot*
#22 Charlotte Wilson
#23 Sienna McMullen
#25 Meara Girvan
#26 Kiara Bischa
#27 Jacqueline Dupuy
#28 Tara Harrington
#29 Nyalli Milne
#30 Keely Fullerton
#32 Tayla Gregory+
#33 Ellie Veerhuis+
#44 Taya Oliver

*inactive
+injury replacement players

ONES TO WATCH

Key Player: Charlie Rowbottom
Breakout Potential: Sienna McMullen
New Recruit: Lily Mithen

It is hard to look past Rowbottom as the number one name opposition clubs will look to stop each week. The former number one pick is a champion through and through, and now with premiership Demon Lily Mithen providing support, the Gold Coast midfield looks a damaging proposition. After a frustrating start last season due to an ACL injury, watch for Sienna McMullen to show her class at the elite level.

2025 FIXTURE

Round 1: vs. West Coast | Thu Aug 14 @ Sullivan Logistics Stadium, 9:15pm
Round 2: vs. Sydney | Sat Aug 23 @ People First Stadium, 3:05pm
Round 3: vs. Port Adelaide | Sat Aug 30 @ Alberton Oval, 5:05pm
Round 4: vs. GWS Giants | Sat Sep 6 @ People First Stadium, 1:05pm
Round 5: vs. Carlton | Sat Sep 13 @ Ikon Park, 2:35pm
Round 6: vs. Adelaide | Sun Sep 21 @ People First Stadium, 5:05pm
Round 7: vs. Melbourne | Fri Sep 26 @ Casey Fields, 1:05pm
Round 8: vs. Brisbane | Sat Oct 4 @ People First Stadium, 5:05pm
Round 9: vs. Hawthorn | Sat Oct 11 @ Kinetic Stadium, 3:05pm
Round 10: vs. Western Bulldogs | Sun Oct 19 @ Great Barrier Reef Arena, 5:05pm
Round 11: vs. Collingwood | Sun Oct 26 @ Bond University, 4:05pm
Round 12: vs. Richmond | TBC @ Ikon Park

PREDICTION

Gold Coast’s fortunes will be largely determined by the start and end, with a tough month mid-season where they face three of the most experienced sides running around. If the Suns can start strongly, there is no reason they cannot rack up some early wins, then try and finish with a couple of victories in the run home. They might need another year to gel, but expect the Suns to be similar to Port Adelaide with its young talent and in the next 12-24 months be a serious threat.