A historic moment in club history has seen exciting Gold Coast SUNS Academy prospect Serene Watson join the club as its first-ever AFLW draft selection.
Taken with pick 18 in the 2019 NAB AFLW Draft, Watson is a Gold Coast local who has been in the SUNS Academy program since she was 15 years old.
A dual-All Australian, Watson starred when representing Queensland at the AFLW Under 18 National Championships this year, proving reliable in defence to repel opposition attacks and rebound.
She averaged 13 disposals, 3.4 rebound 50s and 3.2 tackles across the Championships.
Watson also competed at the recent AFLW Draft Combine where she finished top 10 in the vertical jump, 20m sprint and yoyo test.
The 17-year-old began playing AFL football after relocating from New South Wales and has progressed through the Queensland female talent pathway.
“Serene’s been around Gold Coast SUNS programs for many years and understands what it takes to be a SUNS player,” AFLW Senior Coach David Lake told SUNS Media.
“We think she has the attributes to succeed and develop into a premium midfielder of the competition.”
Always a highly-touted junior, Watson played for the Gold Coast Sunsets in the Youth Girls State Championships and was a member of the NAB AFLW Academy squad this year.
She represented the SUNS in both the 2018 and 2019 Winter Series’ where she looked at home in defence.
