THE SUNNY girls are the new kids on the block, and they're taking the AFLW world by storm.

Gold Coast fielded both the youngest (23 years, 20 days) and most inexperienced team over the weekend, but managed to record a breakthrough first win over Melbourne.

While the Dees themselves were without several stars, they still averaged 47 games experience compared to Gold Coast's 30.

The Suns were so far behind the pack in average experience, the 17th ranked Richmond was still eight games clear.

So, who are the young guns – primarily sourced from the club's academy over the past two years – who have steered Gold Coast to a club-record six straight AFLW victories?

Dekota Baron, first-year key forward
The second-best key forward in last year's draft behind No.1 pick Olivia Wolmarans, Baron is a smooth mover who stands at 178cm, and lets her footy do the talking. A quieter character than some of her teammates, Baron just fell in Gold Coast's recruiting zone by a matter of streets, and grew up a diehard Brisbane fan. She's equally adept in the air or at ground level.

Georja Davies, first-year key back
The youngest of the four Davies sisters, the versatile Georja has found her feet playing as a tall defender in her first AFLW season, having played across all three lines during her junior career and at QAFLW club Southport. Older sister Darcie holds down the primary ruck role for the Suns. Her marking and confidence has come on in leaps and bounds in the past few weeks.

Havana Harris, second-year key forward
Harris has already kicked 12 goals this year, after 11 in her debut season. Another who grew up playing in multiple positions – including as a very tall midfielder – she has firmly settled into spearhead status in the Suns' forward line. A Burleigh junior who then graduated to Bond Uni, she also dominated national high jumping championships as a teen.

Rhianna Ingram, first-year half-back
A rebounding half-back, Ingram was the last of the crop of eight 2025 Academy players to make her debut, playing her first game in round seven. Had a really strong final year of juniors to force herself into the draft picture. She's a hard worker with clean skills, who was born in Northern Ireland but grew up in Australia.

Sunny Lappin, first-year forward/mid
A potential father-daughter selection who opted to join her Academy side Gold Coast over dad Matthew's former clubs Carlton and St Kilda. A silky mover, her best work often goes unnoticed, given a lot of it is driven by her smart positioning and game awareness. Recorded a career-high 18 touches against Melbourne. Also a keen musical theatre performer and musician, and often posts videos singing and playing guitar on her Instagram account. 

Mikayla Nurse, first-year wing
It's been an eventful first season for the aptly named Nurse, managing to break both her nose and her hand in one collision in round five. But the speedster has rebounded in style, and her two-way running has added some power and class to the Suns' mix. Nurse didn't manage to crack Queensland's U18 team in her bottom-age year, but improved in leaps and bounds last year.

Bronte Parker, first-year midfielder
Has managed to play all but one game this year after tearing her ACL last May, reaching 12 disposals on three occasions. A relatively recent convert to football, picking up in her teens, she played her junior footy with Burleigh and graduated to Bond Uni. 

Paige Price, first-year ruck
A much older first-year than the others, the 23-year-old Price was on St Kilda's list for two seasons as a rookie, but injury and basketball commitments meant she didn't play a game. Most recently was in Box Hill's VFLW team, before the Suns came calling for a back-up ruck in the pre-season draft. Another who loves her music, Price can play the drums.

Lily Quigley, first-year forward
Easily spottable as the sole helmet-wearer in the Suns' line-up, Quigley was picked up with the first selection in the pre-season draft, having starred as a relocated overager with Brisbane's academy. The ACT product was originally part of Greater Western Sydney's academy. Has sharp skills and is a lively and busy player.

Mia Salisbury, second-year half-back
Currently sidelined with a broken collarbone, but played every game bar one in her debut season of 2025, and three games this year. A midfielder as a junior, she's been moved to half-back when she graduated to the AFLW. Loves the contested ball and is more than comfortable putting her body on the line.

Heidi Talbot, second-year half-forward
Sat out 2025 with a shoulder injury, but the Cairns local has absolutely starred in her first fully fit season. An Ait Koedal woman with Torres Strait heritage, Talbot has speed to burn and leaves opponents trailing in her wake as she charges up the field from half-forward. Can play off half-back or through the midfield if required.

Ava Usher, first-year forward/mid
Arguably the most eye-catching of the first-year players, Usher has completed a long, multi-year comeback from a torn ACL, having been named MVP at the under-16 championships. A powerful athlete, Usher was a decorated swimmer and surf lifesaver growing up, somehow managing to find time to represent her state in basketball in the process. Will likely spend more time through the middle in years to come.

Alannah Welsh, first-year forward
Another strong athlete, Welsh has excellent endurance and speed. Played her junior footy with Coolangatta-Tweed on the border, having been born in New South Wales, before graduating to Southport. Finds the right spots as a forward, and can be used as a rebounding defender if needed. One of many keen surfers on the Suns' list.