The Gold Coast SUNS have added three more young talents to its list following Friday’s 2024 Telstra AFL Rookie Draft.
Gold Coaster Lachlan Gulbin became the latest StreetSmarts SUNS Academy star to graduate onto the club’s senior list, taken as an Academy Pre-Selection and Category B Rookie, before the SUNS also secured Victorian ruck Max Knobel with Pick 4 and Gippsland Power product Asher Eastham at Pick 17.
CLICK HERE FOR IMAGES OF LACHLAN GULBIN, MAX KNOBEL & ASHER EASTHAM
Burleigh Bombers junior Gulbin joins the club following an impressive 2024 campaign in which he played four Coates Talent League matches for the SUNS Academy alongside 10 matches in the club’s VFL side.
The 17-year-old, who turns 18 on Sunday, also won a senior QAFL Premiership with Burleigh in 2023.
Known for his combativeness and tackle pressure, Gulbin joins a growing list of home-grown products on the SUNS list for 2025.
“It’s a wonderful achievement for Lachlan who has thoroughly earned this opportunity,” StreetSmarts GC SUNS Academy Manager Kath Newman said.
“It’s also a proud moment for everyone who has played a part in his journey to see another member of our Academy graduate on to the club’s AFL list.”
Standing at 206cm, 20-year-old Knobel will bolster the SUNS’ ruck stocks. Knobel has spent the last two seasons on Fremantle’s list and will be eyeing an AFL debut in 2025 at his new club.
Previously selected in the second round of the 2022 Draft, he played 16 matches for Peel Thunder’s WAFL seniors and reserves sides in 2024, averaging 39 hitouts and 14.9 disposals.
Eastham is typically a medium forward, but found success late in 2024 when deployed as a rebounding half-back.
The 190cm product kicked 24 goals in 16 games for the Gippsland Power in the Coates Talent League and proved a difficult match-up inside 50 with his aerial prowess.
Gold Coast SUNS National Recruiting Manager Kall Burns welcomed the trio to the club.
“It’s fantastic that we are able to add Lachie as another StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduate on our AFL list,” Burns said.
“Lachie is a strong competitor who performed well for us in the Coates Talent League, while also earning selection at VFL level for us in 2024.
“Max is a player we have tracked closely since his draft year and also monitored his progress in the WAFL for Peel Thunder where he’s continued to develop.
“Asher is an athletic and versatile player who is strong overhead and has proven he has the flexibility to play at either end of the ground.
“We’re pleased to welcome all five of our new draftees to the club and eager to see them in action from Monday for pre-season training.”
Prior to the Rookie Draft, the Gold Coast SUNS also elevated young defender Bodhi Uwland to the club’s Primary List from the Rookie List.
The three Rookie draftees join a suite of new recruits drafted to the Gold Coast in recent days alongside Leo Lombard (Telstra AFL Draft, Pick 9) and Cooper Bell (Telstra AFL Draft, Pick 49).
Lachlan Gulbin
State: Queensland
State League Club: Gold Coast Suns Academy
Community Club: Burleigh Bombers
Date of Birth: 24/11/2006
Height: 187cm
Max Knobel
State: Victoria
State League Club: Gippsland Power
Community Club: Maffra
AFL Club: Fremantle
Date of Birth: 27/06/2004
Height: 206cm
Asher Eastham
State: Victoria
State League Club: Gippsland Power
Community Club: Heyfield
Date of Birth: 13/05/2006
Height: 190cm
