AFL Cairns is delighted to see former Centrals Trinity Beach and Cairns Saints player, Poppy Boltz, drafted to the Brisbane Lions at pick 16 in last night’s AFLW Supplementary Draft.

22-year-old Boltz is a former member of the SUNS Academy. She also won the 2021 Jo Butland Medal (Best and Fairest Award) and was a member of the Cazalys AFL Cairns Women’s Team of the Year. Boltz spent 2022 with Southport in the QAFLW.

In 2017, Boltz was also a part of the Queensland team which took part in the NAB AFLW U18 National Championships.

AFL Cairns General Manager, Craig Lees, said that Boltz’s selection onto the Lions list is testament to her dedication and the pathway within Cairns’ football system.

“It is fantastic to see Poppy receive an opportunity with the Lions, as she has shown consistent growth in her game over the last number of years and has committed to being the best possible footballer she can be.”

“As a former member of our SUNS Academy, our junior pathways and a strong performer in our AFL Cairns Women’s competition, this is testament to the work done within our football community to provide opportunities for our athletes to reach the highest levels in the game.”

Poppy’s highlights from her 2021 Jo Butland Medal-winning season can be found here.

We wish Poppy all the best in this exciting next phase in her career.