COMING off a couple of massive years with promoting Academy athletes into their AFLW squad, the Gold Coast Suns have set themselves up for a bright future. While the 2026 Academy does not quite have the depth of talent of its predecessors, there are still a number of promising prospects to keep an eye out for this season.

LAST SEASON

Played: 4
Wins: 1
Losses: 3

The Suns Academy might have boasted the most draftable talent, but had the toughest draw of any Northern Academy side, taking on the top three teams for the year. While losses to Dandenong Stingrays (six points), Eastern Ranges (16) and Oakleigh Chargers (21) were not indicative of the potential of the Suns, they finished off with a big 35-point win over Northern Knights in Round 6 to end on a high.

FIXTURE

Round 1: vs. Brisbane Lions Academy | March 29 @ People First Stadium
Round 2: vs. Sydney Swans Academy | April 11 @ Blacktown International Sportspark
Round 3: vs. GWS Giants Suns Academy | April 19 @ People First Stadium
Round 4: vs. Murray Bushrangers | April 26 @ People First Stadium
Round 5: vs. Tasmania Devils | May 3 @ Windsor Park
Round 6: vs. Northern Knights | May 10 @ People First Stadium
Round 7: vs. Gippsland Power | May 17 @ La Trobe University

The Gold Coast Suns Academy play four of its seven Talent League Girls games at home, while getting to experience travel to the other Eastern states. It should give the Suns a range of experiences, and they are capable of picking up a couple of wins along the way.

KEY PLAYERS

Gold Coast Suns Academy has a couple of exciting prospects who took part in the Under 17 Futures game last season. Both love to run and gun down the field, with Summer Browning capable of playing off a wing and half-back, but has the traits to move on-ball as well. In a similar vein, Stephanie Aguinaldo continues to impress as she got better throughout the season, predominantly playing in defence, but has the strength and power to also step into an on-ball role.

Outside of those top two, Maddie Campbell is one who impressed coming through the 16s pathway a couple of years back, while talented athlete Ellie Da Ros is one who could improve with more experience in the program. Watch for Asia Single and Allie Cameron are two bottom-agers to note down for 18 months time, with the former being the younger sister of Gold Coast player Lucy.

PRE-SEASON DRAFT HOPES

Given the depth of last year’s Suns Academy crop, there were always going to be unlucky players to miss out. Gold Coast has brought back a number of promising talents including midfielders Annabelle Foat and Sienna Burnham who will standout in the midfield, and tall utility Lilly-Ann Ryder who played in defence for the Suns and Queensland last year. Small forward Amelia Ella also provides key experience in the front half.

SUMMARY

Gold Coast Suns Academy will be a side to watch this season, having lost a stack of talent from its program to the AFLW last season, which means the side will be quite young and inexperienced compared to past years. It gives others the chance to stand up and play different roles or become those leaders, and they have an extended time in the Talent League to further showcase their skills.