Young SUNS midfielder Will Graham has heaped praise on the club’s senior midfield cohort, as well as a fellow rising star in aiding the young Gold Coaster’s development.
Graham was one of four StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduates to join the club following the 2023 AFL Draft, playing 17 games in his debut season and locking down a spot in Damien Hardwick’s side for the opening two of 2025.
The 19-year-old had 16 touches, six contested possessions and a pair of goals himself in a Round 2 win over the Demons that has been lauded for the dominance of the SUNS midfield.
Matt Rowell (36 disposals), Noah Anderson (35) and Touk Miller (23, three goals) were in delectable form against the Demons.
Speaking on RSN on Tuesday morning, Graham says their varieties of skill sets are perfect to model his own game on.
“I reckon those boys help me out a lot,” Graham said.
“Obviously, they're all very special players, but they all have their different things which they can help me with.
“But I also reckon Bailey Humphrey as well. We kind of play a very similar role this year and we've been kind of doing it together.”
Humphrey himself has had a strong start to the campaign, averaging 21.5 disposals and 13 contested possessions across two games.
The next challenge for the SUNS is a long-awaited first home game of the season, taking on the also undefeated Adelaide Crows at People First Stadium.
Graham says the SUNS are expecting a tough task from the Crows but will back their style in against any opposition.
“I don't think anything changes for us in terms of how we want to play. Obviously, Adelaide have had a very good start as well. I think they're 3-0, so I think it'll be a very good contest on the weekend.”
As a lifelong SUNS supporter who’s ridden the waves, the Palm Beach Currumbin product is also loving the upward trajectory of Aussie Rules football in the Sunshine State.
An undefeated start to the season for both the Gold Coast SUNS and Brisbane Lions leaves Queensland as the only remaining undefeated state across the AFL competition.
Graham has emphasised the importance of the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy in driving growth in the region.
“Queensland footy in general is just growing so much lately and when I was a little fella, I reckon there weren’t very many people going for the SUNS like I was, but yeah, I just think Queensland footy as a whole is getting a lot bigger,” Graham said.
“There are obviously a lot more people playing, but I reckon for us boys, it'd have to be the Academies. They’ve done a whole lot for us and our development and there's a lot of people going through there from a pretty young age.”
Gates open at People First Stadium at 10:30am on Saturday ahead of a 12:20pm first bounce. Get your tickets here.
