Damo T
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- Aug 3, 2019
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Great to see some of our Talent coming through. For the SUNS to be successful we requires local elite talent to come through. The lions in their premiership years had a few.
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AFLW 2024 - Round 10 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
Academy: Gold Coast SUNS Gun Factory
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Very true. The Lions had Voss, Aker, Michael, Ashcroft and Keating during that triple premiership era. You probably want at least a quarter of your best 22 being homegrown with multiple in the reserves pushing for selection and we're probably not too far off that right now with Bowes, Davies, Chol, Budarick and Thompson/Graham all in the best 22.Great to see some of our Talent coming through. For the SUNS to be successful we requires local elite talent to come through. The lions in their premiership years had a few.
Nah but some stats have become available from the game:
Gold Coast 6.14 (50) def. by Brisbane 8.11 (59)
Best players
Gold Coast: Everitt, Marsh, Uwland, Cook, Lombard
Brisbane: Gilder, Ronchi, Fry, Banks, Richardson
Goals
Gold Coast: Everitt 3, Butler, Munro, Nancarrow
Brisbane: Banks 2, Fazldeen 2, Garaicoa, McFadyen, Snell
Some very famous names running around for our U16s academy team today. Best on for us was Boston Everitt, son of Peter 'Spida' Everitt. Zeke Uwland, brother of currently listed player Bohdi, was also named in the bests for us. Joe Kennedy, son of Brisbane Bears/Lions player Matthew 'Maxy' Kennedy, was also running around for our team as was Zai Millane, nephew of Darren Millane. Everitt is of course father-son eligible for St Kilda and Kennedy is father-son eligible for Brisbane but both currently live on the Gold Coast and play for our academy team. The plan for Everitt is to relocate to Melbourne next year to chase his AFL dream but I believe he will still retain his academy spot with us (ala Jye Lockett) due to spending enough years in our academy before relocating so it would appear we will avoid another Will Ashcroft situation where we completely lose all access, despite Will being born on the GC and living here for the first 15 years of his life.
It's nice to see some serious talent coming through our academy with Walter highly rated next year and the following year we've got this crop of youngsters but the father-son access with other clubs is a bit concerning. Many ex VFL/AFL footballers move to the Gold Coast after their careers are over so this is something we'll have to get used to. We've seen this play out once before when Bailey Scott came through our academy while still being father-son eligible for North and Geelong. Bailey decided to go with North at the time but I think we're far more likely to retain players like Boston Everitt and Joe Kennedy now that we're performing much better at the AFL level. This instagram post from Boston Everitt last week suggests he's happy to be a Sun at the moment but we all know the Vics love to engage in dirty tactics to secure talented players. Hopefully we can get another one up on the Saints after retaining Ben King.
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How talls Boston?
Seems to have a nice bounce on him.
Could be very handy in the future
Seems to have a nice bounce on him.
Could be very handy in the future
I can't seem to find his height anywhere but you can see he's already playing in the ruck in that image and the old man Spida was 203cm tall himself so it wouldn't be unreasonable to suggest Boston could get close to that or even exceed his father's height. Perhaps more importantly, the Herald Sun has reported this year that Boston is already considered a first round talent in his draft class, which would obviously be massive for us to secure his talents in 2024 when he's draft eligible. Our academy really is starting to bear fruit these days with Will Ashcroft being the likely number 1 pick this year, Jed Walter a possible top 10 pick next year and Boston Everitt another possible top 10 pick in 2024. For our sake it would be very helpful if we began playing finals this year and St Kilda really dropped off the pace by missing the finals for multiple years because that should make the decision much easier for Boston.
It's all building towards us putting together a very talented list that has a good mix of interstate talent and local stars, which obviously bodes well for our short and long term on field prospects.
Joey Kennedy didn't play - he was out with the flu thing I think. Not the best game from the boys - Lions were really taller, bigger and faster BUT if we'd kicked straight we could have won it. Boston is rucking due to a shortage in height and currently is a more likely key forward at present. Would be great to see him in Suns colours but choosing to chase his dream in Victoria doesn't sound good. Fingers crossed.
Max Marsh from NQ looks really promising - one to keep an eye on.
Alana Gee and Jasmyn Smith were drafted to the Suns last night.
Fleur Davies was drafted to GWS. If a ruck spot opens at the Suns, I think we would be able to lure her back home to the Suns.
This follows Laquoiya and Litonya Cockatoo-Motlop being prelisted to Port Adelaide as well.
5 players drafted to clubs this season.
Fleur Davies was drafted to GWS. If a ruck spot opens at the Suns, I think we would be able to lure her back home to the Suns.
This follows Laquoiya and Litonya Cockatoo-Motlop being prelisted to Port Adelaide as well.
5 players drafted to clubs this season.
The Kings Ransom
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Yeah, agree with Sun Stormer.
Without knowing anything about the situation, him going down to Melbourne for footy doesn't scream "I want to play for the Suns"
Wonder if he's a suns or a saints fan?
Jen2310
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There is some talk that pies will go after Imogen Evans from the suns academy
ETA: Confirmed
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I discovered this link if anyone would like to watch the game. Click here - Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns - Round 1 . Suns were pretty horrid in the first 20 minutes and were 3.2 to 0.5 at quarter time. Much better after that and only lost by 9 points at final siren. Took a fancy to NQ kid Harry Cook (7) and Zeke Uhland (4) with special nod to Jai Murray who's still an U15 like Uhland. Some good stuff in amongst the average. You may have to set up a free account but well worth it.
Fair enough. He was listed in the stats so I just assumed Kennedy played. Is he a key forward/ruck prospect as well?
A lot of people would have said the same thing about Jye Lockett when he began boarding in Ballarat but he always remained a part of our academy and would openly say he wanted to join the Suns even while he was playing footy and completing his schooling in Victoria. Obviously this situation is a bit different because Boston is father-son eligible for a Victorian team but I think the ladder positions of the respective clubs will come into play as well. We're currently seeing that with Will Ashcroft where he essentially has the option to join Brisbane as a father-son pick or elect for the draft and head to North Melbourne. So if by 2024 we're regularly playing finals and look like we are competing for a flag while St Kilda and languishing towards the bottom of the ladder then I think that will play a massive part in Boston's decision.
Joey Kennedy is not a KF or ruck - pretty light at the moment and tends to play around the high forward area from what I've seen. The U16s play the Giants on Metricon this coming Monday and I assume Kennedy will play. Great experience for the boys to be on the Main Deck against a strong team. Will probably drop down to watch - 9.45am start or thereabouts.
Player profiles: The 19 teenagers high on the Gold Coast Suns’ AFL radar
Interesting interview with Suns academy manager Kath Newman. Much more in the article. I will copy players later.
Look forward to the names and any comments. There's some obvious ones but interested to see who else is on the radar. Thanx for doing this.
Brinn Little (Palm Beach Currumbin) — Key Defender
Cody Harrington (Broadbeach) — Small Forward
Ethan Read (Palm Beach Currumbin) — Ruck
At just 17, Ethan Read already stands at more than two-metres tall.And according to Newman, every extra inch he has on his rivals translates to speed across the park that is near unrivalled.
Read has already featured for the Allies squad in the NAB AFL National Championships, and by all reports has been strong despite back-to-back losses.
“He has got a huge tank. I think he was second or third in our 2km time trial and is a big man who can run all day,” Newman said.
“He’s an absolutely quality kid. He played Allies on the weekend, I flicked over to see half the game, and by all reports he was absolutely outstanding.”
Finn Brown (Broadbeach) — Inside Midfielder
Jake Rogers (Broadbeach) — Small Forward
Jared Eckersley (Broadbeach) — Inside Midfield
Jed Foggo (Palm Beach Currumbin) — Halfback
Jed Walter (Palm Beach Currumbin) — Key Forward
“Write his name down.”Newman did not take much prompting to gush about Jed Walter, who she has predicted to be a top contender at the AFL draft next year.
Playing both games for the Allies squad thus far as a key forward, Walter has kicked six goals across the clashes to feature among the side’s best and fairest.
Newman said the young gun had the makings of a complete package footballer in the years to come; blessed with height, speed and clean hands.
However perhaps his greatest asset is the strength that he brings into each contest for the possession.
“He was throwing defenders away last week, anyone near him he’s pushed them out of the way,” Newman said.
“He’s the full package for sure: tall, strong, can run, his tank his really good and his speed is really good.
Josh Zanker-Close (Broadbeach) — Key Defender
Jye Lockett (Broadbeach) — Key Forward
Lawsen Ford (Thuringowa) — Ruck
“He’s really applied himself since coming down here, he’s seen the opportunity and taken the opportunity to learn from the best,” Newman said.“He’s been like a sponge, and everything we could’ve asked of him. He didn’t play in the first couple of Academy games, the coach was balancing up is he ready to take that next step?
“He bit the bullet and put him in and he was just outstanding. I think because of some of his rugby background he’s quite aggressive with his tackling, getting up and back into the game. “His ruck work has improved but it’s his grit and determination.”
Louie McLennan (Palm Beach Currumbin) — Halfback
Marlin Corbett (Surfers Paradise) — Wing
Max Masters (Broadbeach) — Halfback
Ned Stevens (Labrador/Waratah) — Key Defender
Nick Williams (Surfers Paradise) — Key Defender
Riley Stone (Palmerston Magpies) — Inside Midfielder
Will Bella (Palm Beach Currumbin) — Key Forward
Will Graham (Palm Beach Currumbin) — Inside Midfielder
Just found this link to the U16 Lions vs Suns game - and some outlines of the better players on the day. Scouting Notes: 2022 AFL U16s - Suns Academy vs. Lions Academy
Any chance you could do a write up of your observations for us in this thread? I know a few of us on here would certainly appreciate it!
Sure....will do some posts over the next few weeks on U16 and U18 boys.
For those interested - Suns U16 Academy Boys just beat Giants 5.13 to 5.12 on Metricon. BIg day and experience for them. Tight scrappy affair with Giants missing a shot after the siren to win.
Zeke Uhland, Mason Field, Zai Millane, Nelson Beikoff-Smart and Harry Cook all looked to have solid games.
The boys fly off to Darwin on Friday to play NT so keen to see how they go in the heat!
Zeke Uhland, Mason Field, Zai Millane, Nelson Beikoff-Smart and Harry Cook all looked to have solid games.
The boys fly off to Darwin on Friday to play NT so keen to see how they go in the heat!
Cheers mate. What are your thoughts on Caleb Nancarrow? Seems he's an indigenous tall forward/ruck from Cairns who attends Scotch College down in Melbourne after being offered a scholarship to relocate. Would love to get your opinion on the young man.
Zeke Uwland is a bottom ager so that's very excited to hear he's already playing well at the 16s level. Anyone know if Mason Field is the son of current Southport Sharks GM Jarrod Field? I know Jarrod has a fair bit of history in the GC footy circles like being the former head coach of Labrador and spending some time at Broadbeach.
Zai Millane's surname speaks for itself but he'll have to make the tough call later this year on where to continue his junior footy because Burleigh just isn't going to cut it - I'd guess PBC and potentially even a switch of schools to join their excellence program. Speaking of excellence programs, Joe Kennedy appears to be a part of Miami's AFL excellence program and I know our former AFLW player Sally Riley runs the program there where she's had some success stories like the Levi sisters and Lucy Single, but I'm not sure it's the best option for a male player. Kennedy may be better off joining PBC?
Don't know much about Beikoff-Smart other than him being a PBC boy. Harry Cook is a Cairns junior so I'm going to assume he'll be asked to relocate to the GC later this year. How did our main man Boston Everitt go? Here are a few photos I found of him from the game when he went up for the ball:
Both our U16s and U18s are playing in the nationals tomorrow. U16s play the NT in Darwin at 10:00am and the Allies U18s (which contains a few of our boys) play Western Australia in Adelaide at 12:30pm.
Caleb Nancarrow is a work in progress I'd say. Tall, thin but moves really well for a big guy. Did some good things and will only get better. Zai MIllane didn't get a lot of the ball last game but did some massive things when it mattered. Like most of the kids, he's thin but definitely has some potential. Zeke Uwland is the pick of the bunch at this stage even though he's still U15. Boston Everitt was quieter but still managed to get two goals. Mason Field is indeed the son of Jarrod - and has great dash and flair. I'm sounding like a broken record but he's also a bit light at the moment and hopefully will grow a few more inches. Jai Murray is the other U15 to keep an eye on in the next two years - already strong in body and is a personal favorite of mine. Max Marsh from NQ is another.Cheers mate. What are your thoughts on Caleb Nancarrow? Seems he's an indigenous tall forward/ruck from Cairns who attends Scotch College down in Melbourne after being offered a scholarship to relocate. Would love to get your opinion on the young man.
Zeke Uwland is a bottom ager so that's very excited to hear he's already playing well at the 16s level. Anyone know if Mason Field is the son of current Southport Sharks GM Jarrod Field? I know Jarrod has a fair bit of history in the GC footy circles like being the former head coach of Labrador and spending some time at Broadbeach.
Zai Millane's surname speaks for itself but he'll have to make the tough call later this year on where to continue his junior footy because Burleigh just isn't going to cut it - I'd guess PBC and potentially even a switch of schools to join their excellence program. Speaking of excellence programs, Joe Kennedy appears to be a part of Miami's AFL excellence program and I know our former AFLW player Sally Riley runs the program there where she's had some success stories like the Levi sisters and Lucy Single, but I'm not sure it's the best option for a male player. Kennedy may be better off joining PBC?
Don't know much about Beikoff-Smart other than him being a PBC boy. Harry Cook is a Cairns junior so I'm going to assume he'll be asked to relocate to the GC later this year. How did our main man Boston Everitt go? Here are a few photos I found of him from the game when he went up for the ball:
Both our U16s and U18s are playing in the nationals tomorrow. U16s play the NT in Darwin at 10:00am and the Allies U18s (which contains a few of our boys) play Western Australia in Adelaide at 12:30pm.
I'll be watching the game against NT today and keen to see how the boys go.
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