Westmeath teenage star John Heslin is poised to sign a rookie contract with Australian Rules side Gold Coast Suns following a recent trial Down Under.

Heslin, still just 18, is regarded as one of the country's most promising young footballers.

He is part of the Westmeath U21 panel for Wednesday night's Leinster semi-final against Longford in Navan, but was surprisingly omitted from the starting line-up after a four-week suspension came to an end at the weekend.

And now the Irish Daily Star reports that Heslin's fledgling Westmeath career could be nipped in the bud by the offer of a professional contract from Australia.

Gold Coast Suns, a new Aussie Rules franchise, begin their first season in the AFL against Setanta O hAilpin's Carlton on Saturday week (2 April). Tweet

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