The Gold Coast SUNS are pleased to announce that six female StreetSmarts SUNS Academy players have been invited to the 2024 Telstra AFLW National and State Draft Combines.
SUNS Academy players that have been invited to the National Draft Combine are Havana Harris, Tara Harrington, Heidi Talbot and Mia Salisbury. Nyalli Milne and Siobhan Ross have been invited to the Queensland State Draft Combine.
Gold Coast based Harris was named MVP of the under-18 national championships last year and she was also included in the under-18 All Australian squad, along with being nominated for best on ground in Bond University’s QAFLW premiership.
Alongside Harris, Salisbury has had a dependable season in defence; while having chances to play in the midfield and excelling, showing versatility.
Salisbury is a player to watch out for during the Combine. Her efforts include her earning selection in the 2024 under-18 All Australian squad.
Harrington has been an ultra-consistent midfielder for the Academy and was selected in the under 18 Queensland team alongside Harris, Salisbury and Talbot.
North Cairns star Talbot has had some obstacles to overcome moving from Cairns to the Gold Coast, while juggling school and work, yet she still excels in her game and is a talent to watch in the future.
Ross is a defender who hails from Townsville and relocated to the Gold Coast to pursue her football career, playing in Southport’s QAFLW premiership in recent weeks.
Milne is a Burleigh Bombers junior who represented Bond University in the QAFLW decider and excels with speed, agility and defensive pressure.
The three-day National Draft Combine will be held in Melbourne from Friday, October 4 to Sunday, October 6. It will be held over the same weekend as the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft Combine for boys.
A smaller state-based Draft Combine will also be held for players who are not nominated for the national Draft Combine.
The Draft Combine for females was originally held as a state-based event but, for the first time, the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft will have a national Draft Combine matching that of the AFL Draft Combine.
It represents a chance for aspiring AFLW players to be put through physical testing ahead of the 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft.
Selection is based off nominations provided by the AFLW clubs, and the SUNS are thrilled to share the list of players to attend both the 2024 National and State Draft Combines.
StreetSmarts SUNS Academy National Draft Combine Invitees:
- Havana Harris
- Heidi Talbot
- Mia Salisbury
- Tara Harrington
StreetSmarts SUNS Academy Queensland State Draft Combine Invitees:
- Nyalli Milne
- Siobhan Ross
