A DELAYED start to the season due to injury and being part of an incredibly stacked Gold Coast Suns Academy, Sienna Burnham is one of those players who could be fantastic value for another AFLW club. The Suns have nine Draft Combine invitee-tied players with six or seven of them expected to land at the club. With list spots clearly an issue, Burnham is one of a number of prospects who is just outside that group, but could be a diamond in the rough.
We spoke to Burnham recently about her football journey, how it has been coming through the Suns Academy, winning the QAFLW Reserves premiership, and what the plan for the future might hold.
Q: Sienna, tell us a little about your football journey?
SB: “I came into the football a little bit different. When I was younger I was doing other sports growing up like cross country. But I think that really helped me build my endurance and my mental toughness. Then I made the switch into footy in 2017 at the Ormeau Bulldogs and I just instantly fell in love with the team aspect side of things and the physicality of the game in regards to how the girls play which is a lot different to how cross country is and athletics. But that’s how I got into it.
Q: What about your favourite football memories?
SB: “I think my favourite memories have been just growing up with the same group of girls each year. Definitely playing with them every year with South Coast I think its just made our connection so much stronger.”
Q: You captained the Suns Academy Under 16s alongside in such a talented team, what was that like?
SB: “I felt very privileged to be able to captain them. I was a little bit surprised, I knew during the preseason that the girls did follow, because I’m more of a person who leads through my actions rather than my words. So I was a bit surprised but I felt like really privileged to be able to support and guide them through the year and I think the girls alongside me that captained as well was really good.”
Q: What’s it been like progressing through the pathways from local to representative level and then state action for Queensland?
SB: “It’s a big change, like the professionalism in regards to local footy and playing with Queensland is definitely a big step but I think playing with that group of girls we all knew what we had to do and I think that we all just stepped up to it. It was definitely like a big preseason between the footy club and then stepping up to the state level but I think that we managed it really well.”
Q: You were part of Southport’s premiership reserves team, what was it like?
SB: “It was amazing and I think it was going back-to-back from them as well. I didn’t get to play last year because of my injury but I think it was definitely a massive experience because me and myself I haven’t won a grand final yet. I think it was just amazing to be alongside those girls and be able to play with them.”
Q: On your game, what do you see as some of your strengths?
SB: “My contested work and my endurance. I pride myself on winning the hardball and then backing it up with repeat efforts. I think also my pressure and my intensity, I always like to keep that at the highest possible level during the game and also during trainings as well. Because of my cross country background I think endurance helps me get from contest to contest across all four quarters. I’d say those are probably my biggest strengths.”
Q: What about the improvements you’re looking to make in your game?
SB: “I think my game touch and my decision making because you can never get enough of the footy, just that constant getting hands on the ball most days to keep sharpening my skills, and I think I’d like to use my endurance more to impact more on the outside so getting that longer run, getting that repeat effort, that handball receive, just running on the outside more I think I can improve that.”
Q: How do you rate your top-age season?
SB: “It was definitely a big preseason for me, so I was still managing my injury from last year so I had to be really disciplined with my recovery and my rehab making sure I was keeping on top. But I think once I got my body right, I just focused on that consistency and just showing up every session with intent and intensity to constantly improve my game and get back to how I used to play with the girls. That foundation really set me up to perform well through the season and ultimately be able to earn that opportunity to represent Queensland which was a huge honour. It was a big season but it really just showed how well we can all play.”
Q: The Suns Academy have a lot of draft prospects, how have you dealt with that the fact that the AFLW side only has so many list spots?
SB: “I think I always knew it was going to be harder to try and earn a spot in the draft this year knowing that I was a little bit behind so I was always a little bit worried about that throughout the year. But I just focused on what I can do for myself now in terms of just working as hard as I can to be able to prove that I can be able to go anywhere for my footy. I think I’ve been working with my manager just to try and let people know that I still have it.”
Q: If you didn’t get drafted, what’s the plan for next season?
SB: “I think if I didn’t get drafted I would go back to Southport QAFL and just try and work on everything that I can there in the senior squad. Because I think that’s where they know my strengths and they know my weaknesses. But I am able if I want to travel anywhere for footy, but I think I would most likely stay at Southport.”
Q: Which AFL/W club do you support?
SB: “I’ve grown up with Gold Coast.”
Q: Which players do you look up to or model your game on at the top level?
SB: “I always like to watch Charlie Rowbottom or Lucy Single. I really like watching how she (Single) plays because I think I can base my play off that because I think she charges really fast through the contest, she knows how to work her agility I think as well as Charlie Rowbottom, so I watch them a lot.”
Q: Who do you think has had the most individual influence on your career?
SB: “I think my dad, he’s always pushed me from a young age. He would always go out in the backyard with me, work on my skills each afternoon. He’d always make sure my left foot as well as my right, so I think he’s always been there, been able to support me however he can, so I think he’s had the most influence on me.”
Q: Finally, what goals do you set for yourself from here on?
SB: “I think obviously if the draft doesn’t happen, I think to just go back to my QAFL and hopefully win the flag again next year and I think a major goal would be just working on my improvements.”
