QUEENSLANDER Bronte Parker is one of a number of Gold Coast Suns Academy prospects who enters her top-age season with plenty of runs on the board from 2024. A natural midfielder who can also go forward, Parker spent time between not only the Suns and her state, but Bond University in the QAFL Women’s as well.

We spoke to Parker at the recent Queensland Preseason Testing Day about her journey, game and goals for the future.

Q: Bronte, tell us a bit about your early footy memories?

BP: “I think I started Under 15s maybe and it was at Burleigh Bombers and it was with a lot of the girls and I just got brought into it from Nippers. I definitely fell in love with it there playing with all my friends.”

Q: Have you continued on the surf lifesaving path, or done any other sports?

BP:“Well I just finished surf lifesaving last year just to focus on it this year. I was playing Oztag at state level and everything.”

Q: Was there a reason you chose football in the end?

BP: “I just love it so much more. I find it more enjoyable.”

Q: What’s your preseason been like?

BP:“Preseason’s been pretty hard. I’ve been doing seven days a week hands on footy. If it’s not at club, then it’s out with my dad at the park. Heaps of running, I’ve definitely put in a lot more extras than I did last year.”

Q: Is dad your main mentor with football?

BP: “Yeah he definitely makes me strive for it and makes me work for it as well.”

Q: How would you describe yourself as a player?

BP: “I’d say pretty determined, I want it. It’s definitely changed over the years, now I realise how badly I want it. I will do what it takes to get there.”

Q: What are some of your strengths and then improvements?

BP: “I’d say my key strengths are my contest, getting in and getting the ball and what I’m trying to work on this year is my marking and driving my legs.”

Q: Do you watch a lot of footy?

BP: “I’ve started to recently.”

Q: Are there players you look up to or try to play like?

BP:“I really like Charlie Rowbottom and Matt Rowell. That’s who I try because they’re obviously in the midfield and they’re really strong players so I look up to those two.”

Q: What are your goals for the year?

BP:“My overall goal is to get drafted, but just to have fun and make the Queensland team again.”