By Peter Argent
IN the first uncompromised draft in AFLW history, Mia Salisbury was secured by the Gold Coast Suns, with their third selection, pick number 29 overall in the event held on Monday night, December 16.
Salisbury is among five new faces collected by the Suns on a productive draft evening for the club.
She also has a significant connection from the Silver City, as dad Craig is a triple premiership player with the North Broken Hill Bulldogs – 1992,1994 and 1998.
Working as an electrician for the Broken Hill City Council Craig married a local girl Melissa, having three children Ethan, Max and Mia.
“Craig started as a forward and was the competitions leading goalkicker before becoming a reliable, running defender across his career,” his flag-winning coach Wayne Walker said.
“In total he played 162 games for the Bulldogs and also was selected in the interleague side on six occasions.”
Mia Salisbury is seen as a part of a new era of the Suns, being among five Academy products all secured by the club, despite the new AFLW draft rules.
She was initially selected by Essendon with pick number 29, with the Gold Coast Suns matching the bid.
Salisbury had produced a strong 2024 season.
Traditionally playing out of defence, the Coolangatta-Tweed talent was prolific in midfield for both the Suns Academy and Queensland in 2024, averaging 20 disposals and 3.7 clearances across the campaign,
She was also one of the pair of maroons to win Under 18 All-Australian honours alongside fellow Suns draftee Havana Harris.
Suns Head of Women’s Football Fiona Sessarago said the club is thrilled to secure five of our highly talented young players from their Academy program on Draft night.
“Mia, along with Havana (pick #2), Heidi (Talbot pick #27), Nyalli (Milne -Pick 41), and Tara (Harrington -Pick 47) have worked incredibly hard to earn this opportunity to represent their hometown club in the AFLW,” Seearago said.
“I’m sure it’s a proud moment for their families and everyone involved in their journeys.”
“Their selections are also testament to the work undertaken by their coaches both in our Academy and at their junior clubs.
“It really is a monumental night for the Gold Coast football community and reward for the work that’s happening to grow the game here in Queensland.”
The AFL Women’s competition will enter its 10 season in 2025, starting as an eight-team competition in 2017. There were two seasons in the 2022 calendar year.
