The Gold Coast SUNS U16 and U18 Female Academy sides both recorded significant victories over the Brisbane Lions on the weekend.
The U16 team were the first to represent the Gold Coast SUNS Academy in their age group, and fought hard all day for a deserved 8.5 (53) to 4.3 (27) win.
The U16’s went into the match with a focus on winning the contested ball, and were able to do so to give the side repeated forward 50 entries through good ball use on the outside.
Josii Hargreaves, Teagan Levi, Faith Alchin, Georgia Hutton, KJ Shiner and Sally Evans were some of the best for the U16 SUNS in the win.
Following on from their win over the Lions last weekend, the U18’s were able to continue their strong form, winning 8.9 (57) to 5.5 (35).
The team have showed consistent improvement since November and impacted the match with defensive pressure across the whole ground to create turnovers that were capitalised on.
It’s the first time the U18’s have won both trial games against the Lions in SUNS Academy history, and will give the side plenty of confidence as they prepare for their final carnival in Coffs Harbour.
The carnival will be the last opportunity for the SUNS girls to put their hands up for selection in Queensland’s U18 squad to compete at the NAB AFLW Under 18 National Championships.
The SUNS will play NT, NSW and the Lions again at Coffs Harbour from May 10 to May 12.
