GOLD Coast Suns have gained a massive boost ahead of the AFL Women’s Draft, as their only Academy member with multiple club ties in Sunny Lappin has committed to nominating the Suns. Lappin, the daughter of 251-game Matthew, turned down the option to nominate Carlton and St Kilda where her dad played 196 and 55 games respectively.

>> AFLW Draft Q&A: Sunny Lappin

While the sentiment around the decision had many thinking the Blues – who Lappin supported growing up – might be the choice, Gold Coast was able to announce the decision today via the club website.

“I had a huge decision to make and lots to consider – a big one was family and friends and the idea of moving interstate. I don’t think I’d play as good of footy if I was somewhere else other than where all my favourite people are,” Lappin said to SUNS Media.

“I also had Rhyce Shaw as a coach in the Academy and I think that he’s building something special at the Gold Coast SUNS and that’s something I’d really love to be a part of.”

Lappin earned Queensland’s MVP honour at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, as well as All-Australian and runner-up in the competition’s best and fairest behind Vic Metro’s Chloe Bown.. Those accolades, along with a best on ground medal in the QAFL Women’s Grand Final where her Southport side won the flag, saw Lappin complete one of the best top-age seasons on record.

In the wake of Lappin’s MVP win, the Queenslander spoke to Rookie Me Central about weighing up the decision surrounding the three clubs.

“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.”

Lappin is a hard-running winger/midfielder who has terrific skills and ability to move through traffic. While needing to develop the physical side of her game, she has been one of this year’s great stories after being a surprise omission from the National AFLW Academy.

Queensland State Talent Manager Mark Browning praised Lappin’s resilience and ability to use the omission as a “bit of a motivator” rather than let it derail her career.

“The thing is, with these kids who have got three choices like she has, it’s very easy for kids to sit back and get comfortable. But she’s just been able to perform and train,” Browning said.

“It didn’t matter what happened, the better Sunny played, she never got comfortable. “She then trained better again the next week. “It was just consistency, and we focused a bit on her defensive side of her game. Normally she would like push forward which she’s very dangerous at and good at, but she took that on board and worked very hard on the defensive side of the game.

“But at the same time it put her into that rebounding type role on turnover. “She’s done a lot of adjustments, but she’s such a rounded player now and a dangerous player. “I think she’s going to be a very good AFLW player.”

The 2025 AFLW National Draft is on December 15, with Gold Coast being the most intriguing club given the plethora of Academy-tied athletes in the frame.