Round 13 - Geelong Cats vs Gold Coast SUNS
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
The Gold Coast Suns kicked off their AFL journey in 2011, but they didn't just jump straight into the deep end. The club was officially established in 2009 and got their provisional AFL license on March 31 that same year. Before hitting the big league, they played in the Under 18 TAC Cup in 2009 and the VFL in 2010 – basically cutting their teeth before facing the AFL's heavy hitters. Their first proper AFL match was on April 2, 2011, against Carlton at the Gabba, and they grabbed their first win on April 23, 2011, beating Port Adelaide after being 40 points down in the third quarter.
Damien Hardwick took over as senior coach at the end of 2023, and he's brought some serious credentials with him. The bloke coached Richmond for 14 seasons and led them to three premierships in 2017, 2019, and 2020. He was even named AFLCA Coach of the Year in 2017. Noah Anderson was appointed as the sole captain in February 2025 at just 23 years old, making him the youngest current captain in the AFL. He's got Touk Miller and Sam Collins as his vice-captains, with Ben King, Matt Rowell, and Wil Powell rounding out the leadership group.
The Suns' colours are deep red, sunburnt gold, and oceanic blue, which were officially unveiled on July 22, 2010. The deep red represents the fearless spirit of both the club and the Gold Coast community, while the sunburnt gold reflects the region's environment and those windswept beaches. The oceanic blue mirrors the Pacific Ocean and symbolises the club's serious ambitions. As for the nickname "SUNS," it's pretty straightforward – it directly connects to the Gold Coast's most iconic feature, the sun. In November 2024, they launched their refreshed brand identity with the tagline "Fearless." Make of that what you will.
The Suns call People First Stadium in Carrara their home, though you might know it by its previous names – it's been called Carrara Stadium, then Metricon Stadium, then Heritage Bank Stadium. The venue underwent a massive $144 million redevelopment and reopened in 2011. It can hold 22,500 seated spectators with a total capacity of 27,500, and there's potential to expand to around 40,000 if needed. What's pretty cool is that the Gold Coast Football Club actually manages and operates the stadium itself, despite it being owned by the Queensland state government. This gives them control over the fan experience and helps them generate extra revenue from non-matchday events.
This is the big one that every Suns fan is waiting for – no, they haven't made the finals yet. The club is still chasing their first finals campaign since entering the league in 2011, and obviously, they haven't won a premiership either. However, their VFL team did secure the VFL Premiership in 2023, which shows there's a winning culture developing in the ranks. The new coach, Damien Hardwick, has made it crystal clear that breaking this finals drought is the immediate priority.
David Swallow is the games record holder with 240 games as of the end of 2024, and he's also the last "survivor" from the inaugural 2011 playing list still at the club. Tom Lynch is the all-time leading goalkicker with 254 goals, though he left the club in 2018. Ben King is currently second with 184 goals and was the leading goalkicker in 2024 with 55 goals. Gary Ablett Jr. made history by winning the Brownlow Medal in 2013, becoming only the fifth player to win it at his second AFL club.
The Gold Coast Suns Academy is basically their secret weapon for the future. It's a comprehensive program for aspiring players aged 13 to 19 across Northern NSW, the Gold Coast region, Far North Queensland, and even Darwin. The beauty of it is that young athletes can develop without having to leave Queensland, which addresses the club's historical "go-home factor" problem. Recent Academy graduates who've made it to the senior list include Jed Walter (pick 3 in 2023), Ethan Read (pick 9), Jake Rogers (pick 14), and Will Graham (pick 26). The Academy aims to be the best youth academy in Australia, and by the looks of the talent coming through, they're on track.
The Suns have gone above and beyond with their community involvement. Over the past nine years, the club and players have contributed more than 45,000 community volunteering hours, focusing on issues like domestic violence, youth homelessness, and regional needs. Their official charity partner is RizeUp, a Gold Coast organisation that supports domestic and family violence survivors. They've also helped achieve an 82% increase in junior football participation across Queensland. The Gold Coast Suns Foundation, established in 2015, funds various community programs, including specific initiatives for Indigenous youth, multicultural groups, and women.
As with all AFL tickets, the best resource for the hottest seats is Queen of Tickets. The top of this page is our dedicated Gold Coast Suns tickets page, where you will find the best prices and access to all games. Bookmark it, so you'll have easy access to your favourite team whenever they take the field!
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