Dylan Patterson was once seen as a future star rugby league full-back, Zeke Uwland was contemplating a cricket career, and Ava Usher’s first loves were basketball and surf lifesaving. Yet, these promising athletes chose to pursue careers in the AFL and AFLW, sticking with the Gold Coast Suns. This decision underscores the power and influence of the club’s academy.
For fans not closely following this year’s AFL and AFLW draft, the prominence of club-tied players, especially those from the Suns academy, might come as a surprise. As the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft approaches, with live coverage on Kayo Sports from November 19-20, the impact of the Suns’ academy is becoming increasingly evident.
The Influence of the Suns Academy
While there are calls for tweaks to the AFL draft bidding system to ensure fairness, the broader perspective highlights the academy’s role in promoting the sport. According to triple premiership Lion Jonathan Brown, “It’s important for the growth of the game, you need these local stars to come through and help promote your game.” The academies in northern Australia are crucial for expanding the draft pool nationwide.
If not for the Suns’ academy, these top-end 2025 draft prospects from Queensland might have been lost to other sports. Players like Zeke Uwland express gratitude for the academy’s support, which provided a pathway to the AFL. “Footy was such a minority sport in Queensland growing up,” Uwland noted, emphasizing the importance of having a structured pathway to choose football over other sports like rugby league.
Competing and Thriving
The Suns academy is not just about nurturing talent for the club but also contributing to the broader AFL ecosystem. Several rival clubs could benefit from the Suns academy’s work this season. While the Suns are expected to match early bids on both Uwland and Patterson, they might not have enough points to secure all their top prospects, potentially allowing other clubs to benefit.
From an AFLW perspective, the Suns could have at least seven academy graduates to choose from, including Ava Usher and Sunny Lappin. The Suns can use draft points to match bids on their top boys’ prospects, but some Gold Coast prospects might still slip to other clubs.
Southern Queensland’s Athletic Prowess
Jonathan Brown, who spends time between Melbourne and south-east Queensland, believes the region produces some of Australia’s best athletes. “Growing up on beaches, the best athletes, in my mind, are those from south-east Queensland,” he remarked, highlighting the diverse sporting opportunities available to young athletes in the area.
Dylan Patterson, a powerful half-back/wing prospect, echoed this sentiment, noting the variety of sports available in the Gold Coast and the growing prominence of AFL in schools. “There’s so many athletes coming from here,” he said, pointing out the region’s contribution to various sports, including the NFL.
Building Strong Bonds
The journey of a northern academy member often begins in their early teens, fostering close bonds among players who grow up playing together. This camaraderie makes the transition from academy life to full-time AFL life smoother. Ava Usher, who joined the academy at 12, has formed lifelong friendships with her teammates, enhancing the team dynamic.
Sunny Lappin, who had the option to nominate for Carlton or St Kilda under the father-daughter rule, chose the Suns to stay close to family and friends. The prospect of playing under academy coach Rhyce Shaw also influenced her decision, as she believes Shaw is building something special at the Gold Coast Suns.
Looking Ahead: The Suns’ Future
Prospects like Uwland and Patterson are joining the Suns’ AFL program at an exciting time. Under coach Damien Hardwick, the Suns have made their maiden finals campaign, signaling a promising future. “The success of the Suns this year was unreal,” Patterson said, expressing optimism for the club’s future.
The Suns’ AFLW team is in the midst of a rebuild, with a focus on young talent from their academy. Ava Usher sees this as an exciting opportunity, noting the strong connections she has with her potential future teammates.
Whatever the opinions on the Suns academy program, its effectiveness is undeniable. “You can see it’s starting to become a bit more of a footy state over time,” Patterson observed, highlighting the growing interest in AFL on the Gold Coast.
A Word on the Top Suns AFL Academy Prospects
Patterson on Zeke Uwland: “He’s definitely a talent. He can do stuff no one really can do, he’s a bit of a freak. Wherever he goes, he’ll end up finding a way into a team and give them an edge.”
Patterson on Jai Murray: “He’s definitely a hard-worker. Pretty much every time I’m at the Suns he’s there as well – and probably a bit longer than me.”
Patterson on Koby Coulson: “I’ve grown up with him and I’ve seen the hard work he’s done – and I think clubs are going to recognise that.”
The Gold Coast Suns academy is not just nurturing talent for the club but also contributing significantly to the AFL’s growth in Queensland, transforming the region into a burgeoning football state.
