Connor keeps cool on draft
SUNS draft prospect Connor Budarick says he is trying to contain his excitement as he edges closer to the draft while putting together an impressive football resume.
Budarick is one of the leading talents coming out of Gold Coast’s academy and is fresh from being named the best and fairest of the recent academy series, won by the Suns.
It was another accolade for the highly touted footballer who is doing his best to keep a level head in order to produce his best in the most important year of his young career so far.
“It’s very exciting. Pretty much everything has been happening in the last couple of years, it’s been full on,” he said.
“At the end of the day you have to try and play the best you can and hope for the best.
“It’s good to get the extra accolades if they do come up.
“Hopefully I can get to where I want to be in September, November area and get on a list. There is still a long way to go.”
Budarick has been in the Suns academy system for five years and represented Queensland throughout that same period.
The 18-year-old played for the Allies as an underage player in the under-18 national championships last year and will return again in 2019.
The Labrador junior spent time playing in the 2017 Tigers QAFL team alongside AFL legend Barry Hall and featured in their losing grand final team that year before impressing in short spells for the Suns NEAFL team between representative duties in 2018.
Budarick has traditionally played in the midfield but at 177cm he has had to begin playing in different positions to add more versatility to his game.
Allies coach and three-time premiership player for Brisbane, Luke Power, had Budarick playing off halfback where he has been encouraged to show his foot speed more.
“Being smaller I have had to adapt,” Budarick said.
“It has been a bit of an eye opener but I have brought more versatility to my game since the back end of last year.
“Playing off halfback has been a bit different for me, I haven’t done that a lot. It’s been good to learn those different positions.
“I’m quick but I don’t really show my speed a lot when we do play games.”
Budarick will take part in an Allies training camp in Melbourne from Thursday until Sunday where he will play against Victoria Country and Metro teams.