Connor Budarick

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

Connor Budarick
Personal information
Full name Connor Budarick
Date of birth (2001-04-06) 6 April 2001
Place of birth Guilfoyle Hospital
Original team(s) Labrador (QAFL)
Draft No. 116, 2019 rookie draft
Height 160 cm (5 ft 3 in)[1]
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 15 (1)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 16, 2020.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Early life

Budarick was born in South Australia and spent the early years of his life in the small crayfishing town of Robe[2] before relocating to Queensland's Gold Coast at the age of 9.[3] 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[4] and was drafted to the Sydney Swans with pick 110 in the 1989 national draft.[5] Connor played his junior football for the Labrador Tigers and joined the Gold Coast Suns developmental academy at 12 years of age.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]

Leading into his 2019 junior season, Budarick was named captain of the Suns academy team[1] 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. Di Pietro, Kavisha (25 June 2020). "'Buda' goes boom". AFL Players. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  2. "Dyson Budarick's advice to younger brother and draft hopeful Connor Budarick". Gold Coast Bulletin. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  3. "Budarick speaks after joining the SUNS". goldcoastfc.com.au. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  4. "Australian Football - Craig Budarick Statistics". australianfootball.com. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  5. "Dyson Budarick's advice to younger brother and draft hopeful Connor Budarick". Gold Coast Bulletin. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  6. "Connor Budarick on AFL 360". goldcoastfc.com.au. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  7. "SUNS Academy member Connor Budarick RD17 NEAFL Rising Star". goldcoastfc.com.au. 30 July 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  8. "Dyson and Connor Budarick playing together for the first time but in Darwin". Gold Coast Bulletin. 29 July 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  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.
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