Seven big reasons for Suns to hope
MEET seven Suns academy talents who could become the club’s next AFL stars. Cairns product Alex Davies, 16, leads an all-star cast of teenage players who have been training with the club’s senior squad throughout the pre-season. Jack Johnston, 16, Connor Budarick, 17, Hewago “Ace” Oea, 17, Josh Gore, 17, Dirk Koenen, 18, and Ryan Gilmore, 18, are among the relatively unknown figures who could become households names in the coming years. Suns academy coach
Andrew Raines reveals just why these kids are on the rise.
“A Cairns boy and state basketballer but has chosen to prioritise footy. He is probably one of our brightest prospects for the 2020 draft. He will relocate next year and do Year
12 at All Saints so he can have that added development by being here full-time. Alex is a tall midfielder (190cm) which is in vogue at the moment. His work inside the contest is good and he works well in traffic like a lot of basketballers. He has a good mix of endurance and speed.”
“A Burleigh junior who has come out of
Palm Beach Currumbin State High. He is an intercept defender who reads the ball well and can play as a third tall down the back. At 192cm tall he can play key defender but in the long run I think he will make a hybrid defender who can play on mediums, talls and smalls.”
“Ryan tested in the (AFL’s) Rookie Me combine and clubs were well aware of him before the draft. He played well in the NEAFL at the end of the year and represented the Allies. He is a late developer in terms of his football knowledge and having that continuity of footy and training will be good for him after coming from Townsville. He is a really good athlete, has great agility, power and speed and plays a running halfback role well.”
“A Labrador player who is also an Allies hub member with Ace (Hewago). Connor was an under-16 AllAustralian who played some great football as a bottom-ager in the under-18 Allies team. He will take a lot from that experience. He is a really good talent, explosive and highly skilled.”
“Another Gold Coast local who played at Surfers Paradise and then Southport more recently. He is a really crafty small forward who can also push into the midfield. He has a similar build to Connor.”
“A key defender who can also play at either end of the ground.
Dirk is strong and tall for his age and has proven to be adept at intercept marking while his skills are also impressive. He has been playing in the Suns NEAFl side and attended the AFL’s draft camp. From the Magnetic Islands, Koenen started with the Suns through their Townsville academy before shifting to finish school at Palm Beach Currumbin.” “Ace came to a training session with our high-performance group last year and he wasn’t missing targets, he was quick, elusive and trained the house down. We thought this kid had something. He still has a bit of work to do in terms of playing at that next level and executing his skills under pressure. What I love about him is his tenacity. He is fierce, tough and works hard. His third, fourth and fifth efforts are incredible.”