Empire of the Suns: Meet the Far North football prodigies bound for GC Suns academy
Get to know the three exceptional young footballers from Far North set to compete in the upcoming Under-16 Boys Suns Academy Zone Championships on the Gold Coast.
The future of Far North footy has taken another huge step towards the big leagues.
Brae Agrums, Zayne Moore and Cooper Glass have been selected for the 2024 Under-16 Boys Suns Academy Zone Championships on the Gold Coast. The trio was picked from the NQ carnival in Townsville after representing Cairns and competing against Mackay, Townsville, and Rockhampton. The rising prodigies now have the opportunity to trial for the Under-16 Boys Suns Academy National Development Championships squad, trialling in two games at Austworld Centre Oval from April 3 to April 5.
Cairns Suns Academy head coach Wes Glass said the guns have been part of the academy for the past three years.
“I’ve coached all of them since they were little kids,” he said.
“They’re all switched on, I’ve taken (all three) away down south for four years now on footy camps.
“All three get along really well, they’ve known each other for years and they’re good friends outside of footy.
“They’re from really good families, they work hard at training and they don’t muck around.
“They’ve got the rewards that’s for sure and they’re the three that deserve the opportunity.”
16-year old Agrums is a dominant one-on-one key defender who towers over his opponents. Standing at over six feet, the Port Douglas Crocs junior had a taste of reserve footy in the Cairns AFL last season and has been building his game off Collingwood captain Darcy Moore. Agrums is strong in the air, agile for his size and a fierce competitor.
Hybrid backman Moore is a rising star of the Far North. The 15-year-old is strong in the air and a high IQ decision-maker under pressure. Capable of darting kicks on both left and right foot, he has modelled his game off five-time All-Australian Tom Stewart. Much like the Geelong Cats defender, Moore is capable of playing roles as either a tall or small defender while becoming highly influential on offence.
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Cairns Saints junior Cooper Glass is an elite runner with a strong engine. The 15-year-old currently rotates between wing and small forward, using his left foot in dangerous attacking areas. Basing his play style off Carlton vice-captain Sam Walsh, Glass can smoothly snatch possession with clean hands off the ground and has an agile first step to cut through traffic.
After the two matches, the Gold Coast Suns will announce a squad for the national carnival on April 10, which will commence training on April 29 for games against the Brisbane Lions, GWS, and the Northern Territory.
Originally published as Empire of the Suns: Meet the Far North football prodigies bound for GC Suns academy
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