OUR PLAYERS

ASHTON SAUNDERS

Number 13

Age: 25

Nickname: Ash

Team/Age Group: Seniors

AFL/AFLW team: Fremantle

When did you start playing Footy? This year

When did you start playing with the Suns? This year

Favourite playing position: Ruck

Why did you start playing footy? I have always played soccer, and sometimes my height was more of a disadvantage than an advantage. I knew a few girls on the team and they encouraged me to come along. After the first training I knew I wanted to be a Sun!

What do you love most about playing for the the suns? I love the family atmosphere. As a new player I was welcomed with open arms and this is the most supportive and welcoming group of players and coaching staff around.

Favourite ground to play on: Home,

I haven’t played anywhere else yet! Favourite AFL/AFLW player: Lauren Pearce

Advice for someone wanting to start playing: Get into it! Don’t doubt yourself and get along to training as much as you can to help build your skills!

Personal Football Goals: To learn more about the game, increase my fitness and keep working to become a better player and teammate.

DANNI HIBBERD

Number 49

Age: 26

Nickname: Danni (or Hibbo to some on the footy field)

Team/Age Group: Senior Women’s

AFL/AFLW team: Hawthorn (AFL) and Geelong Cats (AFLW)

When did you start playing Footy? This year!

When did you start playing with the Suns? This year!

Favourite playing position: Wing
Why did you start playing footy? I thought it would be lots of fun and wanted to try plying the sport I’d enjoyed watching all of my life

What do you love most about playing for the the suns? The team around me

Favourite ground to play on: North Hobart Favourite AFL/AFLW player: Cyril Rioli
Advice for someone wanting to start playing: Just have a go!

Personal Football Goals: To improve on my kicking and marking

MAHALIA DAVIES

Number 5 & Under 17s Coach

Age: 28

Nickname: Maha, Haha, Mahoo and not any of the ones Stubbsy calls me

Team/Age Group: Playing seniors.  Coaching u17’s.

AFL/AFLW team: Richmond in AFL. Still haven’t settled on an AFLW team, I tend to barrack for Richmond more & all of the Tassie girls playing.

When did you start playing Footy? 2015

When did you start playing with the Suns? 2015, I started with the East coast Suns which merged with Sorell to now be the South East Suns

Favourite playing position: I just love playing and happy to play wherever the team needs me but probably most comfortable in a forward pocket

Why did you start playing footy? Ive always been an avid AFL follower and wanted to play. When Dean, my first coach came asked me to play there wasn’t a chance I was going to say no. Women’s footy was very new in Tassie still, we only had 5 teams in the state so when the opportunity struck I was 100% in.

What do you love most about playing for the the suns? The genuine family culture. The awesome people that I have met and that will be lifelong friends and forever in my heart.

Favourite ground to play on: Blundstone was pretty sweet but I do love our little Sorell junior oval. I think the smaller grounds can make for better women’s a lot of the time.

Favourite AFL/AFLW player: Shane Edwards and Monique Conti

Advice for someone wanting to start playing: Get into it, give it a crack. Get to know your team mates, it’ll help a lot on and off the field & focus on learning the fundamentals first before trying to get fancy.

Personal Football Goals: Improve my fitness so that I can play my best footy.

MAKAYLA BRUCE

Number 16

Age: 18
Nickname: mak
Team/Age Group: seniors
AFL/AFLW team: north Melbourne
When did you start playing Footy? 2017
When did you start playing with the Suns? 2017
Favourite playing position: half back flank / midfield on ball
Why did you start playing footy? Honestly came and started as a fill in for the u17s
What do you love most about playing for the the suns? The Ongoing encouragement that comes from the team and surrounds
Favourite ground to play on: pemmy home ground
Favourite AFL/AFLW player: oh god that’s hard, ah maybe cam zurrhar or Benny brown
Advice for someone wanting to start playing: do it, back yourself
Personal Football Goals: Fitness

KATE OLLERHEAD

Number 15

Age: 24
Nickname: Canada
Team/Age Group: Suns Senior Womens 
AFL/AFLW team: Essendon
When did you start playing Footy? Last year (2020)
When did you start playing with the Suns? Since the start of my career
Favourite playing position: half forward
Why did you start playing footy? Jess brought me along:)
What do you love most about playing for the the suns? Being able to meet new people!
Favourite ground to play on: Playing in Blundstone Arena was pretty neat!
Favourite AFL/AFLW player: Eddie Betts - seems like solid dude
Advice for someone wanting to start playing: Just get out and try it! There's always a role for everyone and it's a great community to be around.
Personal Football Goals: Properly bounce the ball at least once in a game...

ABBEY JOHNSON

Number 37

Age: 37
Nickname: B.O.G
Team/Age Group: Senior Suns
AFL/AFLW team: Geelong When did you start playing Footy? 2021
When did you start playing with the Suns? 2021
Favourite playing position: I still have no idea about positions. I like the sound of being a Defensive Forward so let's go with that.
Why did you start playing footy? I always loved having a kick as a kid but as I got older I sort of let that side of me slip away more and more. Then, out of the blue, a mate came along with a football, said she played and quite persistently encouraged me to give it a go. She insisted I'd love it, and don't tell her but, she was right.
What do you love most about playing for the the suns? The girls! It's so nice to be surrounded by such a funny, committed and generous bunch of women. I love the camaraderie, being part of a team that you know has your back, and getting an opportunity to push myself mentally and physically. There is so much I love about playing football, particularly as part of The Sun's family.
Favourite ground to play on: Home all the way!
Favourite AFL/AFLW player: N/A
Advice for someone wanting to start playing: Come along for a kick. You won't regret it!
Personal Football Goals: To improve my fitness, be a goal kicking machine and survive the end of year trip

JESSE COPE

Number 31

Age: 26
Nickname: -  
Team/Age Group: South East Suns Seniors
AFL/AFLW team: Essendon
When did you start playing Footy? This year is my first season 2021
When did you start playing with the Suns? Starting training with the suns in Feb 2021
Favourite playing position: Wing/Backline
Why did you start playing footy? I wanted to improve my fitness as well as be a part of a club and a family!
What do you love most about playing for the the suns? I love the amount of support every player has for each other. They’ll push you and encourage you to do and be better
Favourite ground to play on: haven’t played on enough grounds yet!
Favourite AFL/AFLW player: -
Advice for someone wanting to start playing: Shake off those nerves and go to the first training/game. No matter your fitness or skill level I can 100% Guarantee you won’t be judged or put down.
Personal Football Goals: To be fearless every time I step onto the field

SARAH GREY

Number 40

Age: 19
Nickname: Funky
Team/Age Group: Seniors
AFL/AFLW team: Collingwood
When did you start playing Footy? Year 10
When did you start playing with the Suns? Year 11
Favourite playing position: Wing
Why did you start playing footy? A friends team was short on players so went to help out
What do you love most about playing for the the suns? The bested bunch of girls that I play with
Favourite ground to play on: Sorell
Favourite AFL/AFLW player: Bailey Smith Advice for someone wanting to start playing: Just do it, you won’t regret it
Personal Football Goals: Be back playing how I was before injury, if not better

SERENA MCQUEEN

Number 25

Age: 24
Nickname: Queeny
Team/Age Group: Seniors

AFL/AFLW team: AFL, Hawks & AFLW, GWS 

When did you start playing Footy? Been around it my whole life but started in late 2019/early 2020

When did you start playing with the Suns? Same
Favourite playing position: Wing or Backline
Why did you start playing footy? Community and new friends
What do you love most about playing for the the suns? We are a family, the most supportive people I have ever met.

Favourite ground to play on: Home

Favourite AFL/AFLW player: Alicia Eva 

 Advice for someone wanting to start playing: Just get along to training and you won't turn back.

Personal Football Goals: FITNESS

ALICE MURPHY

Number 44

Age: 20
Nickname: murph
Team/Age Group: seniors 
AFL/AFLW team: Carlton
When did you start playing Footy?: 2016
When did you start playing with the Suns?:2018
Favourite playing position: forward or back
Why did you start playing footy?: because I’ve always loved the sport and enjoy the intensity
What do you love most about playing for the the suns?: the girls that I play with, we’re one big fam
Favourite ground to play on: Sorell
Favourite AFL/AFLW player: Brianna Davey
Advice for someone wanting to start playing: don’t be nervous and have fun
Personal Football Goals: improve overall fitness and skill