Gold Coast’s draftees got their first taste of life as SUNS players on Monday, completing a training session at the newly named Austworld Centre. 

Jez McLennan was one of five new faces, with the 18-year-old keen to work his way into the football program after realising his dream of becoming an AFL player.

“Today was reasonably light, we just got to meet a lot of the boys,” McLennan told SUNS TV.

“On the training track, we just did a little bit of skills and then finished off with some running, so it wasn’t too bad and we’ll slowly get into things.”

McLennan was one of three South Australians to join the SUNS during last week’s NAB AFL Draft, alongside Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine. 

Having spent plenty of time together at state level, the trio could form a tightknit group as they navigate their way through their first pre-season on an AFL list.

All three excelled at state level, earning All Australian honours during the U18 National Championships in 2018.

“We’ve been together for about three years now, through the 16s, 17s and 18s state programs.

“We all flew down together, we’ve all got good relationships together and I’m sure that will build to be even greater.” 

While McLennan starts his journey as an AFL footballer, he’s more than happy to take his family along for the ride.

His parents back in South Australia are already keeping in touch via phone, while he can also lean on a strong network through his extended family that are based on the Gold Coast. 

“I had a (call) with them last night. I’m staying with Lachie Weller (and his partner), so I introduced them to my parents.

“They’re just keen to hear about everything and they’re really intrigued about it all.”