Gold Coast SUNS young stars Kiara Bischa and Annabel Kievit will make their AFLW debuts in Saturday’s season opening clash against St Kilda.

Head Coach Cameron Joyce shared the news with the two first-year players on Wednesday that they would be included in the SUNS’ 21-player squad to run out on People First Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Bischa is a Burleigh Bombers junior and defending Streetsmarts SUNS Academy Player of the Year, who will become the 22nd Academy graduate to represent the club in the AFLW.

The ultra-competitive defender known for her clean hands and two-way game was selected by the SUNS with Pick 50 in last year’s draft.

Hailing from the Northern Territory, Kievit will become the latest Territorian to pull on the red, gold and blue guernsey after an impressive maiden pre-season.

The former NTFLW Rising Star will get the opportunity to put her raw athleticism on display against the Saints in Round 1.

“It’s always a special moment telling a player they’ve earned the opportunity to make their AFLW debut and it’s fantastic that we have not one, but two players doing that this weekend,” Head Coach Cameron Joyce said.

“Both Kiara and Annabel have really impressed throughout pre-season. They’ve taken everything in their stride since coming into the club, are always looking for ways to continue developing and it’s a proud moment as a coach to be able to tell them they’re playing their first game this weekend.

“Kiara’s been a part of our club since she was a little girl. She’s come up through the ranks of our Academy, her parents are foundation members of the club and now she gets the opportunity to debut in her home city.

“Annabel has shown her talents and hard work over the course of pre-season and we’re excited to see develop for hopefully many years to come here on the Gold Coast. I know she’ll have plenty of friends and family right across the Northern Territory glued to the TV on Saturday.”

The SUNS will name its finalised team for Saturday’s clash on Thursday night.