SUNS Academy graduate Leo Lombard has tonight joined the club's AFL list after the first round of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft.
Lombard received a bid from St Kilda at selection 9, with the SUNS quickly matching the bid to ensure the dynamic mid-forward became a SUN.
The 18-year-old has had a prolific draft year where he established himself as the best junior male footballer in Queensland.
Lombard earned many accolades in 2024, including the prestigious Larke Medal as the best and fairest player in this year's Under 18 National Championships, and the Male Academy Player of the Year at the SUNS Club Champion.
The SUNS Academy captain was also named the Allies MVP and was recognised with selection in the Under 18 All Australian team.
Lombard has played 11 VFL matches for the SUNS across two years, including playing in the Gold Coast SUNS VFL Premiership team in 2023 when he was just 16 years old.
Leo is the first past student from Caningeraba to reach the goal of professional AFL player. He was a dominant force in PE lessons, Cross Country, Athletics Carnivals and Inter School Sport. In his senior year at Caningeraba he made the Queensland Team for AFL and went on to be named the player of the National U12 Carnival. In the senior year book his dream was to become a professional AFL player.
Leo is a very determined individual who has worked very hard at realising his dream. We wish him all the best in his football career ahead. We are proud of him. His representative career started when Mr. O'Toole picked him as an underage player in the Oceanic District AFL Team. He has gone on to represent at all levels of junior football since this time. A realisation that anyone can succeed in sport as long as they put their mind and efforts to their chosen dream.
This content was created by Hugh O'Toole and approved by Maria Mott.