Irishwoman Lauren McConville will become the GC SUNS’ third AFLW debutant of 2024 this Sunday in Canberra.
McConville joined the club during pre-season as an injury replacement player for Sienna McMullen and is the latest of the club’s Irish contingent to represent the SUNS in the AFLW alongside Clara Fitzpatrick, Niamh McLaughlin and Cara McCrossan.
The 29-year-old is a well-credentialed athlete in Camogie and Gaelic Football having recently vice-captained Armagh in the Championship division of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association.
She also took a sabbatical in 2019 to play a season a season of Aussie Rules with the South Warrnambool Roosters women’s team in country Victoria, winning the side’s best and fairest.
Boasting elite speed and line-breaking capabilities with an ability to hit the scoreboard as well, Head Coach Cameron Joyce is excited by what McConville brings to his side.
“We’ve been impressed by how well Lauren has adapted since arriving on the Gold Coast and it’s great to be able to give her the opportunity to make her AFLW debut,” Joyce said.
“Her last couple of weeks playing in match scrimmages have been impressive. The exciting bit for us now is to watch her go to work, utilise her speed, create some chaos and bring what she does really well back home in Ireland to our game here.”
McConville joins Kiara Bischa and Annabel Kievit as SUNS AFLW debutants so far this year.
The SUNS will finalise its team to face the Giants on Friday evening.
