The Bull Sharks have added more bite to the Gold Coast Suns with a trio of Bond QAFLW premiership stars set to make their AFLW debuts tonight.
Havana Harris, Nyalli Milne and Mia Salisbury – all key figures in the Bull Sharks QAFLW program that reached the grand final in both the seniors and reserves for the past two seasons – will join former Bond teammates Meara Girvan and Kiara Bischa in the Suns’ Round 1 side.
It further cements Bond University as the AFLW’s leading talent nursery. Since the women’s program was founded, 32 Bull Sharks have been drafted to the national competition – an extraordinary production line given the player turnover typical of a student-based club.
That list includes Arianna Clarke, drafted to Brisbane for the AFLW’s inaugural season, who walked away from the game in 2019 to focus on life beyond football.
Clarke returned to the Bull Sharks in 2024, rediscovered her passion for the game, and was drafted by St Kilda ahead of this season after a remarkable career revival.
The Suns took five Bull Sharks in last year’s draft: tonight’s debutants Harris (pick 2), Salisbury (30) and Milne (41), as well as Heidi Talbot (27) and Tara Harrington (47).
Bull Sharks Head Coach Andy Lovell said seeing so many players make the leap to the AFLW was one of the program’s greatest rewards.
“We’re here to help our players achieve whatever their goals are, whether that’s winning a premiership at Bond or pulling on an AFLW jumper,” Lovell said.
“Havana, Nyalli and Mia have worked incredibly hard for this opportunity and they thoroughly deserve it. We’re proud to have played a part in their journey.”
Lovell said the club’s focus on development – both on and off the field – was the key to its success.
“We’ve built a program that challenges players technically, tactically and physically, but also gives them the confidence and resilience they need to succeed at the next level. Seeing our girls run out for the Suns will be a proud moment for everyone at Bond.”
The debut of the Bull Sharks trio is a part of a broader fresh start for the Suns, who will also unveil Sydney Swans Academy graduate Ellie Veerhuis and Southport recruit Tayla Gregory.
Suns coach Rhyce Shaw said the chance to blood five new players was “a night to remember” in the making.
“We’re thrilled for Havana, Nyalli and Mia to get their chance on Thursday,” Shaw said.
“We're really excited about our group and where we're going, not just this year but in the years to come. This is the beginning of our journey and I think it's really exciting that we get to debut five players on Thursday night.”