Eight promising talents from Queensland have been selected in tonight’s 2024 Telstra AFLW Draft.
How the night unfolded:
With Pick 2, the Gold Coast SUNS matched Melbourne’s bid and drafted Havana Harris from Bond University and Burleigh Junior AFC.
Heidi Talbot from Bond University and North Cairns was the next Queensland selected with Pick 27 by the Gold Coast SUNS.
The Gold Coast SUNS matched Essendon’s bid and drafted Mia Salisbury from Bond University and Tweed Coolangatta with Pick 29.
With Pick 39, the Brisbane Lions drafted Sunshine Coast product Lilly Baker from Maroochydore and Noosa JAFC.
Nyalli Milne, from Bond University and Burleigh JAFC, was selected with Pick 41 by the Gold Coast SUNS.
Fellow Gold Coast SUNS Academy member, and also from Bond University and Burleigh JAFC, Tara Harrington was selected by the Gold Coast SUNS with Pick 47.
Coorparoo’s Chloe Gaunt is bound for South Australia, selected by Port Adelaide with Pick 48.
Former Gold Coast SUN and North Mackay Saints junior, Alana Gee was selected by St Kilda with Pick 58.
SUNS draft five academy gradutes:
The Gold Coast SUNS have added five Streetsmarts SUNS Academy graduates to its AFLW list at tonight’s Telstra AFLW Draft.
Burleigh Bombers juniors Havana Harris (Pick 2) and Nyalli Milne (Pick 41), North Cairns Tigers product Heidi Talbot (Pick 27), Tweed-Coolangatta junior Mia Salisbury (Pick 29) and Broadbeach Cats’ own Tara Harrington (Pick 47) all realised their AFLW dreams on Monday night.
Harris was the club’s first selection with the SUNS matching a bid for the two-time Under 18 All-Australian from Melbourne at Pick 2.
Regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in the country, Harris’ athleticism and ability to dominate in the air and on the ground is set to excite SUNS fans. Standing at 183cm, the 18-year-old has played both in the ruck and on-ball for the SUNS Academy, averaging 28 disposals and 15.3 hitouts in 2024, whilst also starring for the National Academy, Queensland and Bond University.
Selected with Pick 27, Talbot became the latest North Queensland talent to join the SUNS. The well-balanced, hard-running utility starred for the SUNS Academy in 2024 after earning the opportunity to represent Queensland in 2023.
She averaged 20.8 disposals, seven tackles and three inside 50s in the Coates Talent League and now joins fellow North Queensland products Daisy D’Arcy, Lauren Bella and Wallis Randell on the SUNS list.
Mia Salisbury’s strong 2024 season ended of the highest of notes, taken by the SUNS with Pick 29 after matching a bid from Essendon. Traditionally playing out of defence, the Coolangatta-Tweed product was prolific in midfield for both the SUNS Academy and Queensland in 2024, averaging 20 disposals and 3.7 clearances as one of two maroons to earn Under 18 All-Australian honours alongside – alongside Harris.
Explosive forward Nyalli Milne was the club’s fourth selection, taken with Pick 41. The 18-year-old is another Burleigh Bombers junior who represented Queensland at this year’s National Championships, while her blistering speed and defensive pressure was a key asset in Bond University’s run to the 2024 QAFLW Grand Final.
Broadbeach Cats junior and 2024 AFL Academy member Tara Harrington became the club’s fifth and final selection, joining the SUNS at Pick 47. The 18-year-old midfielder’s draft year was plagued by injuries, but her combination of class and toughness was on full display in three Coates Talent League matches, averaging 23.3 disposals eight tackles.
GC SUNS Head of Women’s Football Fiona Sessarago said, “We are thrilled to be able to secure five of our highly talented young players from our Academy in tonight’s Draft.
“Havana, Heidi, Mia, Nyalli and Tara have worked incredibly hard to earn this opportunity to represent their hometown club in the AFLW. I’m sure it’s a proud moment for their families and everyone involved in their journeys.”
“Their selections are also testament to the work undertaken by their coaches both in our Academy and at their junior clubs. It really is a monumental night for the Gold Coast football community and reward for the work that’s happening to grow the game here in Queensland.”
(By SUNS Media).
Bound for the Den:
The Lions selected Youi Brisbane Lions Academy member Lilly Baker with their second selection at pick 39.
Another Sunshine Coast product joining the list, Baker was selected for the National Academy side playing predominately in the ruck but had been used in defence for Queensland in the 2024 National Championship.
Standing 180 centimetres tall, Baker boasts some impressive running and sprint abilities which allow her to play multiple positions but shone in the ruck for the Youi Lions Academy with 27.5 hitouts and 11.7 disposals across three games.
“Lilly has obviously come through our academy system and is familiar with our program and the way we operate,” Lions AFLW List Manager, Michael Swann said.
“She has shown an ability to play across multiple lines along with her running capacity around the ground is something which excites us.
“Bringing in another homegrown talent is exciting for our Academy pathway and we’re looking forward to having her as part of the Club next season.”
(By Lions Media).
Former SUN joins St Kilda:
Meanwhile, former Gold Coast SUNS product, Alana Gee will now call Moorabbin home after three seasons on the Gold Coast.
One of the most highly-rated prospects in her draft year (2022), the Northern Queenslander has had an injury interrupted start to her senior career, playing seven games in her second season for the Suns before sustaining an ACL rupture at training during the early weeks of the 2024 AFLW season.
Most commonly plying her trade on the wing, Gee is a versatile weapon on field who brings a dangerous mix of athleticism and footballing ability.
“Alana is another former first-round talent that we hope will unlock her full potential at Moorabbin. A natural midfielder who is comfortable off both sides and covers big yardage at her best, she adds further depth to our young midfield group that we hope will grow together for years to come," AFLW List and Recruiting Manager/Head Analyst Anthony Tang said.
(By Saints Media).