Awatere, Kempt and Allen stay at the Suns

October 25, 2018

AFL New Zealand Premiership side, the Northern Suns have announced that they have retained regional based players Alex Awatere, Will Kempt and Josh Allen for the 2019 season.

The pair were retained under Category 2 of the Retained Players List (RPL).

RPL 2 is the Retention of regional based players. (Up to 5 players retained).

Read more: 2019 AFLNZ Premiership retained players list explained

Alex Awatere

Wellingtonian Alex Awatere has been retained by the Northern Suns for 2019.

Alex plays for the North City Demons in the Wellington AFL and after a strong Premiership season making the 2018 ‘Team of the Year’, Alex went on to make his debut in the New Zealand senior side against the AFL Academy in April this year.

Alex first started playing AFL through the AFL Cup Secondary School Competition and his strongest attribute is his skill work when it comes to ball on the ground.

Will Kempt

Will Kempt from Wellington made his Premiership debut at the age of 16 playing a a development player.

Now 18, Kempt has been apart of the New Zealand U18 programme for the past two years and broke into the senior side in April this year after a strong Premiership season with the Suns.

Tall and skillful, Kempt will be a player to watch in season 2019.

Josh Allen

Ruckman Josh Allen has been retained by the Northern Suns for the 2019 season.

A quiet achiever, Josh had a phenomenal 2018 season and capped off the year with his inclusion into the New Zealand Senior side who played the AFL Academy in Wellington over ANZAC weekend.

Having the added experience of playing against the best young players Australia has to offer, Allen will take that knowledge into the 2019 season and work alongside midfielders Will Dickinson and Ben Hick as they strive for Premiership glory.