Gold Coast SUNS Academy players Jacob Dawson and Jacob Heron have been drafted by the SUNS in this afternoon’s rookie draft as pre-selected category B rookies.
The national draft wrapped up on Friday night, making it a tense weekend for the Palm Beach Currumbin duo, who needed to wait till Monday to learn their fate.
Talented Gold Coast product Dawson, 18, has shown his contested ball ability all year, often playing against senior bodies.
The Burleigh junior is a fantastic grunt player in the midfield and collected the ball seemingly at will during the 2017 NAB AFL Under 18 Academy Series for the SUNS. He’s as tough as they come and a natural leader that has a genuine desire to learn and work hard.
Heron is also strong over the footy, but his hardness is matched with serious speed and a lightning sidestep. What makes Heron unique is his ability break the lines when he has the footy and shut-down runners when he doesn’t.
The Manunda Hawks and Cairns Saints speedster played down back for the SUNS in the Academy Series, but can be used through the middle as well.
Both players had impressive stints in the NEAFL for the SUNS Academy side this year, Heron playing 12 games and Dawson 13. In addition to their NEAFL appearances, they also both played important roles in Palm Beach Currumbin’s QAFL premiership in September.
The addition of Dawson and Heron makes it nine SUNS Academy graduates on the SUNS list, including the four taken this year.
