The Gold Coast SUNS will blood three AFLW debutants in Saturday’s Round 1 fixture against north Melbourne at Blundstone Arena.
Eighteen-year-old Jasmyn Smith will become the latest SUNS Academy alumni to make her AFLW debut. The exciting small midfielder, who is still completing her Year 12 studies at Emmanuel College, has impressed throughout pre-season with her ability to impact contests right across the field set to cause headaches for opposition sides.
She will be joined by fellow high-schooler and Tasmanian product Claire Ransom in Saturday’s squad, another exciting 18-year-old prospect SUNS fans will be excited to see in action.
Rated as Tasmania’s top 2022 AFLW draft prospect, Ransom turned heads during impressive seasons with the Tasmania Devils in the NAB League Girls and is fittingly set to earn her debut in front of family and friends in her home city on Saturday.
Prolific all-round sporting talent Georgia Clayden has also been named in Cameron Joyce’s squad to face the Roos.
Clayden joined the SUNS in the off-season with a jam-packed sporting resume which includes eight seasons in the Australian Netball League, a lengthy Volleyball career with the Canberra Heat to go with selection in a remarkable list of representative teams across four sports.
"It's a fantastic opportunity that these three players have earned to not only represent the Gold Coast SUNS, but their families & everyone who has supported them in their journey so far,” GC SUNS AFLW Head Coach Cameron Joyce said.
"They've all taken different paths to this moment, and we're excited to see them run out alongside their new teammates in SUNS colours on Saturday afternoon."
The full team for the SUNS' AFLW Season 7 opener will be named on Friday evening.
