The Gold Coast SUNS can confirm the club will have three players run out for their first AFL match in Round 1 this weekend.
Top-two draftees Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson have been named to play alongside SUNS Academy product Connor Budarick.
All three have had outstanding pre-seasons to date and played in both of the club’s Marsh Community Series matches.
It’s a fitting result for Rowell and Anderson, who have played almost all of their football together since their junior careers.
Budarick, a local Labrador Tigers product, came to the club through the SUNS Academy and played in the SUNS NEAFL team last year where he earnt a Rising Star nomination.
The small defender also earnt All Australian honours alongside Rowell and Anderson and was named the Hunter Harrison Medallist after being judged the best and fairest player in the NAB AFL Under 18 Academy Series.
Budarick will start his AFL career in the back pocket, with Anderson starting on the wing and Rowell on the interchange.
The Round 1 match against Port Adelaide kicks off at 6:40pm AEST.
The match will be live on Fox Footy, 7mate (check your local guide), Kayo and AFL Live Pass.
