The Bond Bull Sharks’ extraordinary reputation as the nation’s leading AFLW nursery has grown even stronger, with five more players selected in this week’s AFLW Draft.
After the Gold Coast Suns selected five key players from the Bond’s 20024 squad, including the No.2 pick Havana Harris, there have now been an unrivalled 33 Bull Sharks reach the AFLW - the most of any club in Australia.
The peerless Bond player development program overseen by Director of AFL Andy Lovell saw Harris, Heidi Talbot (Pick 27), Mia Salisbury (Pick 29), Nyalli Milne (Pick 41), and Tara Harrington (Pick 47) take the step to the elite level.
They were a key part of the Bull Sharks run to the 2024 grand final and all bar Talbot were premiership players in 2023.
The Suns’ draft haul has sent Lovell back to the drawing board.
It is a familiar pattern for the veteran AFL player and coach, who has steered the Bull Sharks to three premierships from five grand final appearances across the men’s and women’s programs in the past two years.
He demonstrated the program’s ability to constantly develop new talent when he was able to guide the women back to a QAFLW grand final this year despite losing stars Kiara Bischa, Lily Tarlington, Meara Girvan, and Imogen Evans to AFLW clubs.
“Our whole philosophy at the Bull Sharks is around helping our players become the best athletes they can be,” Lovell said.
“And when that leads to girls being drafted, we celebrate their achievement with genuine happiness.
“We don’t even think about how we can replace them, because players like Havana, Nyalli, Tara, Heidi and Mia are impossible to replace.
“What we focus on is the opportunity it creates for another wave of young footballers.”
The class of 2024
Havana Harris – Pick 2
Harris, a two-time Under-18 All-Australian and best on ground in the Bull Sharks’ 2023 QAFLW premiership, was the Suns’ top choice, with the club matching a bid for the ruck/key forward. Her athleticism, aerial dominance, and ability to perform in key moments have made her one of the most exciting young talents in the country.
Lovell says:
“She’s a naturally gifted athlete with very good skill level who has the capacity to play a multitude of different roles including key forward and inside midfield given her running prowess.
“I would expect Havana to have an immediate impact on senior footy at AFLW level.”
Heidi Talbot – Pick 27
A dynamic utility, Talbot impressed in a standout 2023 Queensland representative campaign. Her hard-running, versatile style has cemented her as a valuable pick.
Lovell says:
“Heidi is blessed with great speed and good endurance. She is also quite versatile and has played effectively as a dangerous goal kicking small forward and as a rebounding small defender off half back.
“Her speed is a great asset, and she can impact early at the next level.”
Mia Salisbury – Pick 29
Salisbury, an explosive defender and one of two Queenslanders to earn Under-18 All-Australian honours in 2024, is known for her composure and precision, qualities that have been vital for both the Bull Sharks and the Suns Academy.
Lovell says:
“A silky skilled inside midfielder, Mia is a very capable overhead mark for her size and runs smart patterns that enable her to attack and defend really consistently.
“Her work ethic saw her transform herself from a lock down small defender into one of the most effective midfielders in the QAFLW competition this season.”
Nyalli Milne – Pick 41
Milne’s blistering speed and defensive pressure shone during the Bull Sharks’ 2024 QAFLW Grand Final run. The 18-year-old forward’s electrifying performances for Queensland at the National Championships sealed her spot in the AFLW.
Lovell says:
“Nyalli is a team first player who has a great balance between attack and defence. She can play as a high half forward who will run her opponents off their legs but is also smart with her running patterns and plays effectively as winger, attacking the goal face and defending from out of play.”
Tara Harrington – Pick 47
Despite injuries during her draft year, Harrington’s combination of toughness and skill was evident in her limited Coates Talent League appearances, where she averaged 23.3 disposals and eight tackles per game.
Lovell says:
“A smart tough contested player who is a natural goalkicking midfielder. Tara is smart and her strength in the contest allows her to win her own ball and bring other players into the game.”
Building for 2025
Lovell now faces the challenge of sustaining the Bull Sharks’ competitiveness while continuing to deliver AFLW-ready talent.
It is a challenge he embraces.
“There are spots open in our senior side now and if there’s young players out there, or potentially already in our reserves, who dream of making the AFLW, we think we have the coaching and the culture, driven by the standards demanded by the senior players at our club, to help them achieve their dreams,” he said.
“And we’re confident that those hungry young footballers can make us better.’’