The Gold Coast SUNS Talent Academy held their awards night on Tuesday, with a number of promising young players recognised for their performances in 2017.
Graduate Jack Bowes was on hand to address the 200-strong crowd about his experiences.
Our Female Talent Academy is well represented, with Kalinda Howarth and Arianna Clarke joined by Lauren Bella.
That marks yet another honour for the trio, who were also named in the 2017 NAB AFL Women’s Under 18 All Australian Team.
Another notable award winner was Brayden Crossley, who was also presented with the Academy Player of the Year at the 2017 Club Champion awards night.
A full list of winners can be found below.
| Award | Winner | 2017 Honours |
|---|---|---|
| Player of the Year - Female | Kalinda Howarth | NAB AFL Academy Representative U18 Queensland Representative U18 Allies Representative U18 All Australian Selection |
| Player of the Year - Male Level 1 (U14) | Jed Foggo | U14 Div 1 GC League Medal U14 Northern Rivers Representative |
Player of the Year - Male Level 2 (U16) | Connor Budarick | Gold Coast Regional and QLD Captain Level 1 AFL Academy Inductee NEAFL Debut - Southport |
| Player of the Year - Male Level 3 (U18) | Brayden Crossley | AFL Academy Member U18 Allies Representative Allies MVP All Australian U18 Ruckman National Draft Combine Selection |
| Staff Member of the Year | Rick Sullivan | Academy U18 Asst Coach Queensland U16 Asst Gold Coast Nth U14 Head Coach |
| 2017 GC SUNS ALL ACADEMY TEAM OF THE YEAR | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| B: | Brodie Foster GC Level 3 | Jack Johnston GC Level 2 | Mitch Fitzpatrick GC Level 2 |
| HB: | Jacob Heron Cairns Level 3 | Caleb Graham Cairns Level 3 | Connor Nutting GC Level 3 |
| C: | Arianna Clarke GC Female | Connor Budarick GC Level 2 | Harry Simington GC Level 3 |
| HF: | Kalinda Howarth GC Female | Jed Foggo Nth Rivers Level 1 | Alex Davies Cairns Level 2 |
| F: | Fitzroy Greenwool Cairns Level 3 | Damien Burke Cairns Level 3 | Timakoi Bowie Cairns Level 3 |
| FOLL: | Brayden Crossley GC Level 3 | Bailey Scott GC Level 3 | Jacob Dawson GC Level 3 |
| INT: | Daniel Charlesworth Cairns U19 | Sam Davidson GC Level 3 | Emmanuel Baru Townsville Level 3 |
| Lauren Bella Mackay Female | Will Ashcroft GC Level 1 | ||
