Connor Budarick

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Connor Budarick
Personal information
Full name Connor Budarick
Date of birth (2001-04-06) 6 April 2001 (age 20)
Original team(s) Labrador (QAFL)
Draft No. 16, 2019 rookie draft
Height 175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight 74 kg (163 lb)
Position(s) Defender, Midfielder
Club information
Current club Gold Coast
Number 35
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2020– Gold Coast 17 (1)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 2, 2021.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Connor Budarick (born 4 April 2001) is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Early life[]

Budarick was born in South Australia and spent the early years of his life in the small crayfishing town of Robe[1] before relocating to Queensland's Gold Coast at the age of 9.[2] His father, Craig, was a professional Australian rules footballer who initially played for Glenelg in the SANFL where he kicked 150 goals in 66 games[3] and was drafted to the Sydney Swans with pick 110 in the 1989 national draft.[4] Connor played his junior football for the Labrador Tigers and joined the Gold Coast Suns developmental academy at 12 years of age.[5] He made his NEAFL debut for Southport at 16 years of age and became a regular selection for the Gold Coast Suns reserves team in 2018.[6] Budarick attended Helensvale State High School throughout his teenage years and was given a scholarship to enter the school's AFL Sport of Excellence programme.[7]

Leading into his 2019 junior season, Budarick was named captain of the Suns academy team[8] and was awarded the Hunter Harrison Medal for the top performing academy player in the NAB League.[9] He was then selected to represent the Allies at the 2019 AFL Under 18 Championships where his performances earned him All-Australian selection.[10] Budarick was drafted to the Gold Coast Suns as an academy pre-listed player in October 2019.[11] Budarick has stated he grew up supporting the Suns in his younger years.[12]

AFL career[]

Budarick made his AFL debut at 18 years of age against Port Adelaide in Round 1 of the 2020 AFL season.[13] He was awarded the round 3 AFL Rising Star nomination for his brilliant defensive performance against the Adelaide Crows, which included 16 disposals, six marks and his first AFL goal.[14]

References[]

  1. ^ "Dyson Budarick's advice to younger brother and draft hopeful Connor Budarick". Gold Coast Bulletin. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Budarick speaks after joining the SUNS". goldcoastfc.com.au. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Australian Football - Craig Budarick Statistics". australianfootball.com. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Dyson Budarick's advice to younger brother and draft hopeful Connor Budarick". Gold Coast Bulletin. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  5. ^ "Connor Budarick on AFL 360". goldcoastfc.com.au. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  6. ^ "SUNS Academy member Connor Budarick RD17 NEAFL Rising Star". goldcoastfc.com.au. 30 July 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  7. ^ "Dyson and Connor Budarick playing together for the first time but in Darwin". Gold Coast Bulletin. 29 July 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  8. ^ Di Pietro, Kavisha (25 June 2020). "'Buda' goes boom". AFL Players. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Gold Coast Suns academy player Connor Budarick named to attend AFL draft combine". Gold Coast Bulletin. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  10. ^ Twomey, Callum (4 July 2019). "REVEALED: The 2019 U18 All Australian team". AFL Media. Telstra Media. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  11. ^ "Gold Coast pre-lists SUNS Academy duo Budarick and Conroy". NEAFL.com.au. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  12. ^ "Connor Budarick extends". Gold Coast Suns. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Trio of talented teens who could be key to getting Suns to shine". The Australian. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  14. ^ "Another Sun claims Rising Star nomination". 22 June 2020.

External links[]

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