Gold Coast SUNS Academy

SunsBhoy

Club Legend
Joined
Jan 13, 2017
Posts
1,510
Likes
1,839
Location
Gold Coast
AFL Club
Gold Coast
I thought he was a part of the '01 class?

How tall is he at the moment?

You rate Koenen that highly? I thought Bailey Scott and Caleb Graham were the two biggest standouts for the Suns this year.
Scott and graham are probably higher in the pecking order atm , but Koenan at his height I’m sure the suns are going to invest in him , he could easily be a KPP in the future for the suns. Apart from Rory we haven’t any local KPP on our list .


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Posts
7,620
Likes
6,694
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Scott and graham are probably higher in the pecking order atm , but Koenan at his height I’m sure the suns are going to invest in him , he could easily be a KPP in the future for the suns. Apart from Rory we haven’t any local KPP on our list.
So would you say Dirk is likely to be a long-term replacement for Rory Thompson?
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Posts
7,620
Likes
6,694
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Just in case anyone was wondering:
Bailey Scott moved to the Gold Coast with his family at the age of nine and joined the Suns academy at 12 where he has since become one of the most regarded players in his age bracket.
I'd say that qualifies him as a fair dinkum local.
 

SunsBhoy

Club Legend
Joined
Jan 13, 2017
Posts
1,510
Likes
1,839
Location
Gold Coast
AFL Club
Gold Coast
NORTH’S POTENTIAL YOUNG STARS MAY NOT RISE

In the wake of North Melbourne’s failed attempt to lure Josh Kelly and Dustin Martin, the Roos may have to brace themselves for another untimely blow.

The March issue of Inside Football reports that for the first time in league history, two father-son prospects have the choice of three AFL clubs at which they can commence promising long careers.



Nick Blakey, son of John, and Bailey Scott, son of Robert, are both top-30 draft prospects and, courtesy of their fathers’ longevity in the game, have options galore.

Blakey can choose between North Melbourne, Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans, because his father played 135 games for Fitzroy and 224 for North and the youngster is now part of the Sydney Swans Academy.

His old man is a long-time assistant coach at the Swan

Meanwhile, Bailey Scott’s father Robert played 132 games for Geelong, 113 for North Melbourne and post-football moved to the Gold Coast, which put Bailey into the Suns’ academy.

So unfortunately for North Melbourne the odds of either boy choosing the Roos are lengthening.

Blakey, considered the better talent and possibly a top-10 pick, is expected to join the Swans given he grew up in the city, while Scott is believed to be leaning towards Geelong or Gold Coast as he has family in both places.

North has not given up the chase, but at this point the odds are against it securing either player.
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Posts
7,620
Likes
6,694
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Looks like they are starting to make inroads in the Torres Strait as well...

Pioneers kickstart Aussie rules hopes on Thursday Island
AS a lifelong Aussie rules lover Matt Arkell does not sugar-coat the lack of presence AFL as a sport has on Thursday Island.

Arkell, the Head of Sport at Tagai College, reckons if you drive the streets of Thursday Island you won’t see any kids kicking a Sherrin in their front yard or at a park, or if you go to the pub for a quiet ale, there is not going to be AFL on the television.

“Nah, none, you would not see any AFL at all,” Arkell says bluntly. “As far as a game or anything that resembles a game, you would not see anything like that here.”

So, why have the Gold Coast Suns this week included three players, who are the first ever Torres Strait Island-based players in any AFL Academy in Australia, from that same Thursday Island which has almost zero Aussie rules?

AFL Cape York staff encourage participants to go to school and stay away from drugs, as well as delivering AFL programs to countless communities north of Cairns up to the Torres Strait.

“They would not know anything about the game if it was not for AFL Cape York House,” Arkell said.

“Now, and this is less than five years since they first found the game, these three are going to be running around with the best juniors from across Australia.”

The three talented Torres Strait Islanders — Jayden Seden, Hiroshi Sabatino and Allanah Phineasa — do not play any organised games ever at home.

They do when they travel away with the Cape York Crusaders representative side but actual games with positions, umpires, structures and coaching are few and far between.

On Thursday Island, the game is crunched into a one-hour training session on the school’s oval, which is the shape of a rugby league field, organised by Arkell and other footy loving teachers every Wednesday afternoon.

They reckon on some days when the game is offered after school, around 60 children turn up to have a crack with the oval ball, but on the day the Cairns Post visited, there was only around 20.

Of the 20, Seden and Sabatino were the only two who jumped and kicked like they were Lance Franklin or Cyril Rioli, the rest looked like they were trying to be Greg Inglis or Johnathan Thurston.

Phineasa, a hard-tackling midfielder, looked like a mixture of Darcy Vescio and Ellie Blackburn as she bashed and crashed the boys, most double her size and weight.

AFL Cape York House development manager Sean Hunter expects the trio to become role models for their Torres Strait peers.

“These three are the most remote northern players in the AFL system,” Hunter said.

“Their selection also identifies a clear and genuine pathway for Torres Strait Island athletes, males and females to make the AFL.

“They do not have access to quality coaching and resources, remunerated coaches, equipment and stadiums, which emphasises the achievement these three have made.

“They are pioneers.”

There have been Torres Strait Islander athletes in the Suns academy before, Timakoi Bowie and Philemon Baira to name two, but they resided in Cairns when named and have had access to additional opportunities

If either of Seden, Sabatino and Phineasa do complete the pathway and go from the Academy on to the Suns senior list — with the club to commence their AFLW team in 2010 for Phineasa — they would become the first ever Torres Strait Islanders to do so.

Brisbane Lions livewire Charlie Cameron attended primary school on Mornington Island before relocating south.

The Mt Isa-born Cameron is from a population of 200 people on Mornington Island, one of the Wellesley Islands in the Gulf of Carpentaria, showing the leap from a northern Queensland community to the MCG is possible.

Suns Academy Head Coach Andrew Raines believes the trio’s inclusion is a significant step for the growth of the game in the north of the state.

“We’ve had a great relationship with Cape York House and Rick Hanlon in Cairns over a number of years and that allows us to not only drive participation in the region, but identify talented athletes,” Raines said.

“Jayden, Hiroshi and Allanah will predominantly work with our qualified coaches in the Far North and fly down to the Gold Coast for matches and training camps throughout the year.”

Phineasa will this month take her first steps towards her AFLW dreams, representing the Suns Academy under-18 Youth Girls team against the Brisbane Lions at Moreton Bay, alongside fellow Far North athletes Kitara Farrar, Shantel Miskin-Ripia, Poppy Boltz and Lily Munro.

“It is exciting,” Phineasa said. “I am happy to be able to represent my home and my family.

“Playing in the AFL one day is my goal.”

Maybe, just, maybe, through Seden, Sabatino, Phineasa and the others they inspire, there might be a bit more presence of Australia’s Indigenous game on Thursday Island in the near future.

In their own voices

Jayden Seden — 16

Height: 185cms

Weight: 71 kgs

“It all feels natural for me. It is fun, good relationships with the coach and you can make a lot of friends through playing AFL. There is not many rules to follow in the AFL, which I like, other than rugby and basketball, I think the game is more free and open to play. It would nice if we had an AFL field here. I like Hawthorn, they are my team.”

Hiroshi Sabatino — 16

Height: 187cms

Weight: 69 kgs

“I like putting on hits. I like to jump at the ball, take marks and kick goals. It is fun to be included in the academy for the Suns and be one of the first ever from here.”

Allanah Phineasa — 17

Height: 160cms

Weight: 59kgs

“It is a bit different from rugby, that is why I like it. You get to run a lot, too. I like to watch the game on television. I support the Western Bulldogs. I went down and played with the Cairns girls in Townsville last year, it was hard but fun, and playing for the Suns soon will be the same, but I can’t wait for the opportunity. Playing in the AFL one day is my goal. When I speak to the Suns, they tell me to keep myself fit, train hard and healthy.”
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

exile

Premium Platinum
Joined
Jul 21, 2010
Posts
6,419
Likes
7,708
Location
Gold Coast
AFL Club
Gold Coast
Other Teams
Philadelphia 76ers
a fifteen year old SUNS academy player by the name of Nathan Andrews was recently diagnosed with leukaemia. bigfooty got hold of the story and has promoted it to raise awareness and funds through their gofundme page. if you're interested in supporting a young footy lover and his family a link to the gofundme page and the bigfooty article is below.

At 7:30pm Friday night a phone call from the family GP ending in rushing to the hospital. In an instant a young mans life is turned completely upside down. The following days several tests were done to confirm diagnosis and on the Tuesday Chemo had begun.

Nathans whole life is footy. This young athlete with a bright future, now has a sickening disease that doesn’t discrimenate. Nathan and his loving family were told weeks before Christmas that he had developed Leukemia. As you can imagine this is an extremely hard time for all the family especially Nathan and his parents.

If you know Michael and Lisa you would know them as kind, generous, loving and wise. Over the last 6 years I have seen numerous people cared for under their roof. I have witnessed many people influenced by their wisdom and I have seen lives changed by the pure love expressed by this family to others. They are a family that is always giving and willing to help others never asking anything in return. I would love to help this family now when they need it most and ask you to help also.

Michael is self employed, The bread winner for his family now that Lisa has become Nathans full time career. For Michael to take a few days off each week would financially strain this beautiful family. As we understand the family doesn’t fit the criteria set by government for financial assistance. The help received from charities is a blessing but doesn’t cover the business costs. Having a salary or wage position enables people to access sick leave/ compassionate leave/ personal leave, unfortunately being self employed has no cover. Nathan needs to stay within 15 mins from the treating hospital. Michael has spent many nights on a couch next to Nathans bed to get some sleep before he needs to get up at 5 am to get to his first job for the day. Michael and Lisa would like to see a charity started to assist families who are self employed and in similar situations.

I think it would be absolutely fantastic to show nathan the same spirit he gave in that footy game. No one should be left alone to endure hard trials by themselves. If you are able to help with a gift even if its small please donate to this great cause. The family has asked if you could please keep phone calls to a minimum but feel free to write some words of inspiration. Bless you and thanks.
Nathan's GoFundMe Page
Bigfooty News Article


 

Choppers

Club Legend
Joined
Dec 5, 2015
Posts
1,331
Likes
2,171
Location
Banchang,Thailand
AFL Club
Gold Coast
a fifteen year old SUNS academy player by the name of Nathan Andrews was recently diagnosed with leukaemia. bigfooty got hold of the story and has promoted it to raise awareness and funds through their gofundme page. if you're interested in supporting a young footy lover and his family a link to the gofundme page and the bigfooty article is below.



Nathan's GoFundMe Page
Bigfooty News Article

Just tipped a small amount in...best I could do atm...might be more after I win OzLotto tonight.LOL!
 
Joined
Jul 9, 2017
Posts
254
Likes
180
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
As a cancer survivor myself I wish this young fella the very best. It's not a lot of fun but unwavering positivity does wonders during the ordeal.

Will chip in some coin.
best of luck to the young fellow and his family.

Yesterday the academy played a Melbourne College which had Dustin Fletchers son in and won convincingly
 

Matchu

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Posts
7,620
Likes
6,694
AFL Club
Port Adelaide
Who are the strongest 3 Victorian AFL School Teams?
Here's the ladder from last year:



Haileybury College sat atop the ladder with the likes of Andrew Brayshaw (pick 2), Luke Davies-Uniacke (pick 4), Oscar Clavarino (pick 35) and Charlie Constable (pick 36) playing for them. Carey Grammar were second, Caulfield Grammar were third and Xavier College were fourth.
 

Mr Bods

Premiership Player
Suspended
Joined
May 21, 2017
Posts
4,504
Likes
5,026
Location
Southern GC-the beautiful city
AFL Club
Gold Coast
Here's the ladder from last year:



Haileybury College sat atop the ladder with the likes of Andrew Brayshaw (pick 2), Luke Davies-Uniacke (pick 4), Oscar Clavarino (pick 35) and Charlie Constable (pick 36) playing for them. Carey Grammar were second, Caulfield Grammar were third and Xavier College were fourth.
There are no Public Sports High Schools in Victoria?
 

OB11

Premiership Player
Joined
Feb 4, 2010
Posts
4,713
Likes
6,697
AFL Club
Gold Coast
Other Teams
76ers
There are no Public Sports High Schools in Victoria?
In the words of the greatest tv show in history "follow the money"

There are a few high performance public schools in Melbourne for other sports (e.g. Box Hill Secondary - where Ben Simmons went) but there is no need for AFL where kids are getting 4-5 years of a $30k p.a. private education, where you can make some big time networking connections with Melbourne's elite, and are getting a team of ex AFL coaches to do coaching (e.g. Hailebury has Matty Lloyd as a consultant - i'm sure his kids are already signed up for their scholarships)
 

Mr Bods

Premiership Player
Suspended
Joined
May 21, 2017
Posts
4,504
Likes
5,026
Location
Southern GC-the beautiful city
AFL Club
Gold Coast
In the words of the greatest tv show in history "follow the money"

There are a few high performance public schools in Melbourne for other sports (e.g. Box Hill Secondary - where Ben Simmons went) but there is no need for AFL where kids are getting 4-5 years of a $30k p.a. private education, where you can make some big time networking connections with Melbourne's elite, and are getting a team of ex AFL coaches to do coaching (e.g. Hailebury has Matty Lloyd as a consultant - i'm sure his kids are already signed up for their scholarships)
Thanks for the Info-sounds like the GPS Rugby Union Scene
 

17er

Cancelled
Joined
Oct 21, 2017
Posts
2,500
Likes
1,788
AFL Club
Gold Coast
the game on the weekend was against a team called PEG . Bailey Scott and Ace looked the goods and number 11 and 27 ( didn't get there names) did some good things. They ran away from them in the 2nd half
Just read this thread and was about to comment, but you got in first. PEG stands for Penleigh and Essendon Grammar. Cam Rayner went there, as did Josh Toy! Trent Cotchin, Zac Dawson, Scott West and 3 generations of Fletchers went there.

A friend of mine from the GC works there. Other notables include celebrity chefs Shannon Bennett (married to Madeline West) and Curtis Stone, so you know their Home Economics program must be top rate.

For the Suns academy to beat PEGS is a big deal, however, until they are beating the Haileyburies where the Kolodjashnij twins used to terrorise opposition attacks, it is barely worth writing about.
 
Top Bottom