StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduate Leo Lombard has tonight joined the club’s AFL list after the first round of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft.

Lombard received a bid from St Kilda at selection 9, with the SUNS quickly matching the bid to ensure the dynamic mid-forward became a SUN.

The 18-year-old has had a prolific draft year where he established himself as the best junior male footballer in Queensland.

Lombard earned many accolades in 2024, including the prestigious Larke Medal as the best and fairest player in this year’s Under 18 National Championships, and the Male Academy Player of the Year at the SUNS Club Champion.

The StreetSmarts SUNS Academy captain was also named the Allies MVP and was recognised with selection in the Under 18 All Australian team.

Lombard has played 11 VFL matches for the SUNS across two years, including playing in the Gold Coast SUNS VFL Premiership team in 2023 when he was just 16 years old.

Gold Coast SUNS National Recruiting Manager Kall Burns said the club was thrilled to officially welcome Lombard as an AFL-listed player.

“We’ve known what Leo can do for a long time as a member of our StreetSmarts SUNS Academy and it’s fantastic to have him officially join the club tonight as an AFL listed player,” Burns said.

“It’s an amazing achievement for Leo and he should be extremely proud of all the hard work and dedication he has put in to achieve his goal of reaching the AFL.

“It’s also a testament to everything the Academy and junior football on the Gold Coast has done to get Leo to this point, and it’s rewarding for all involved to have another graduate join the club’s AFL list.

“We look forward to Leo commencing his first official pre-season under Damien Hardwick starting on Monday.”

Round 2 of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft resumes on Thursday November 21 from 6:00pm AEST on Fox Footy and the AFL website, with the SUNS holding selections 57, 89 and 95.