It hasn’t taken long for new SUNS recruit Ella Smith to feel right at home on the Gold Coast.
The former Lions Academy junior made the move down the M1 during last year’s AFLW Trade Period, joining from the Lions where she made her AFLW debut during the 2023 season.
Smith broke through for one game at the defending premiers and says she’s focused on ‘finding her footy again’ at her new club.
“Everyone has been so supportive, so inviting which has really helped me settle in,” Smith said.
“(My goals this year are) Just finding my footy again, feeling confident in myself and letting that show on the field. I know I’ve got the support of everyone here.
The 19-year-old is taking everything in her stride three weeks out from the opening of another AFLW campaign, soaking in advice from on the likes of Tara Bohanna and Jamie Stanton as well as midfield counterparts Charlie Rowbottom and Claudia Whitfort.
Head Coach Cameron Joyce has also made an immediate impression on Smith.
“They’ve helped my development (the midfield group), learning from the tricks they’ve learned.
“He (Joyce) is all about the positives. Obviously we work on our weaknesses, but he’s really big on building on our strengths and making sure we’re focusing on those.”
The SUNS’ 2024 preparations kick up a notch this Friday with the SUNS welcoming the Lions to the Austworld Centre Oval for pre-season match simulation.
For Smith, it’s not only a chance to pitch her case at her new club but to line up against a host of familiar faces.
“It’ll be good to see where we’re at, what we’re doing well and what we need to work on.”
The SUNS begin its AFLW season against St Kilda at People First Stadium on Saturday, August 31
