By AFLQ Media
Ahead of the NAB AFL Draft tonight, Gold Coast local talents Rhys Nicolls and Aiden Fyfe have been announced as additions to the Gold Coast SUNS rookie list in 2021.
Both Nicholls and Fyfe have played their junior and senior football on the Gold Coast and have been developed through the SUNS Academy program.
AFL Queensland Talent Manger, Mark Browning said its an exciting time for footy in Queensland.
“It’s a testament to the strength of our talent pathways to see Rhys and Aiden join an AFL list, both have played in our Schools Cup competition, junior program and at Queensland Australian Football League (QAFL) level,”he said.
Aiden, who had a sensational season with Broadbeach Cats in the QAFL displaying his defensive pressure and powerful left boot, said it was a dream come true
“It’s pretty surreal, I’ve been supporting them (GC SUNS) since I was a young fellow,” he said.
“When I got the call to say, ‘welcome to the list’, it was a pretty awesome moment. Mum and Dad shed some tears. It was special.”
Boasting a strong left boot and elite speed, Nicholls hails from the Labrador Tigers and has been involved with the SUNS Academy since he was 12 years old.
“I started off as a junior at the Southport Sharks. During my time there we won a few premierships and then I moved to Labrador for senior footy. They really brought me in and it’s a great culture there. I loved my time at Labrador,” he said
“I can’t wait for the journey to start and I’m really looking forward to it.”
As part of the AFL’s concessions granted to the club in late 2019, the SUNS are able to pre-list academy selections without the need to match bids by rival clubs until 2021.
The NAB AFL Draft and NAB AFL Rookie Draft will officially take place over the next two days, however the club was granted permission to pre-select all four academy graduates ahead of the events.
