The Gold Coast Suns have announced the addition of Academy pre-selections, Sandy Brock and Bodhi Uwland, with the pair of 18-year-old's earning rookie contracts for the 2022 season.
Slated as a versatile option by the club's media department, Uwland cut his teeth in a Suns guernsey on six occasions in the VFL last season.
Having traded a starting role in the midfield for a place on the reserve's half-back line, the teenager ended 2021 as Gold Coast's Academy Player of the Year.
We've made two Academy pre-selections, adding Bodhi Uwland and Sandy Brock to the clubโs rookie list for 2022 ๐
๐ https://t.co/rx5VcSrulf pic.twitter.com/wVdN8GqPSu
— Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) October 29, 2021
Speaking to the club's media department, Uwland explained that he was thrilled about the ability to take his game to the next level.
โIโm very excited to be here full-time and put everything into it,โ he toldย goldcoastfc.com.au
โItโs been a lifelong dream so Iโm very excited to get stuck into it for pre-season.โ
While Uwland's journey to Carrara has been short given he grew up on the paradise strip, the same cannot be said for the nephew of V8 Supercars legend, Peter Brock.
At 198cm, Northern Territorian Sandy Brock has made the leap through the region's underage representative programs to a place on an AFL list.
Touted as a key position prospect by the club, Brock was also ecstatic about his chance to commence his career at the game's highest level.
Sandy Brock, the nephew of V8 legend Peter Brock, has joined Gold Coast as an Academy pre-selection along with fellow Academy pick Bodhi Uwland. Both will be on the club's rookie list. Story here โคต๏ธ https://t.co/5zc9av3D0V
— Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) October 29, 2021
โI honestly canโt wait, itโs going to be an unreal experience, hopefully, I can play AFL but also (see) the development,โ he explained.
โI want to learn from all the players and coaches and try to make it to the top as fast as I can.โ
The pair have walked onto the Suns' roster due to the concessions granted to the expansion side surrounding Academy pre-selections.
While his job was made easier given the lack of competition for the duo's services, Gold Coast General Manager of Player Talent and Strategy, Craig Cameron, claimed both Uwland and Brock were well placed to make the most of their opportunities.
โBodhi has had a fantastic year, playing a key role with the SUNS Academy while also stepping up and performing really well for us at VFL level so weโre excited about what he can become,โ he said.
โSandy has shown he has potential as a key position player with great height and speed so we look forward to working with him on the next stages of his development."
