Key forward Jed Walter says a youthful SUNS forward brigade is primed to rise to another level in 2025.
Walter’s first taste of AFL football in 2024 finished with 11 goals from 14 games in his debut season, and the 19-year-old is bullish about the steps the group has taken throughout the off-season.
“I think I’ve found my feet here now within the group, I feel very comfortable,” Walter said.
“I think this year I’ve taken, I guess, myself to another level… leadership on field, I’m more demanding of the ball. I want the ball more so that’s really exciting, and I’m really keen to work with Ethan Read and Ben King in that forward line this year.”
While King enters 2025 off the back of a career-best season, former junior teammates Read and Walter are looking to continue taking steps forward now with a second AFL pre-season under their belts.
Walter is full of praise for the potential of his good mate and King’s influence on the pair.
“He’s [Read] obviously also trying to develop as a key forward. We’re working very closely together… he’s a bit of a unicorn, so he’s been killing it so far this year, working on the same stuff as me alongside Kingy.”
“He [King] has definitely stepped up his leadership in the forward line as well, telling us to get in the right positions and what not.”
The duo’s development has received praise from Assistant Coach Brad Miller.
“Because they’re so close, they’ve been able to learn off each other, make mistakes together, hang a bit of stick on each other and grow together which has been exciting,” Miller said.
“Those guys are going to feel expectation externally playing in key positions, so our job is try make them feel as safe and comfortable as possible to grow.
“It’s not about hanging them out to dry when they make mistakes, we understand that’s part of them growing as key position players. We have expectations they can hold down that role for us and they’re important players to the way that we play.”
Miller has also hinted that first-round draft pick Leo Lombard is ‘in the frame’ for a potential Opening Round debut with Walter eager to see what the Burleigh Bombers junior can do at AFL level.
“He’s got the body ready to go straight away,” Walter said.
“He’s a bit like a Tassie Devil, just trying to get in there at once, he’s been unbelievable. The way he tackles is quite scary sometimes, but he’s been unreal and it’s exciting to see what he does this year.”
