The Gold Coast SUNS will play 11 Saturday home games at Metricon Stadium in 2015, comprising two afternoon games, six twilight games and three night games.
goldcoastfc.com.au has analysed the fixture and marked five key dates that you need to add to your calendar for next season.
Round 2 - Saturday April 11, 7.20pm
Gold Coast vs St Kilda @ Metricon Stadium
The first home game of the season will likely see new recruits Nick Malceski and Mitch Hallahan appear in GC SUNS colours at Metricon Stadium for the first time in a home and away season game. It will also mark the return of captain Gary Ablett to the venue where he sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in round 16, 2014.
The SUNS are no strangers to hosting the Saints in their opening home fixture of the season, beating St Kilda in round one, 2013, by 13 points in a stirring victory. Gold Coast enjoyed two comprehensive wins over St Kilda in 2014 and will hope to continue that winning streak in round two next season.
Round 5 - Saturday May 2, 4:35pm
Gold Coast vs Brisbane Lions @ Metricon Stadium
QClash 9 at Metricon Stadium shapes to be the most hotly-contested game to date between the south east Queensland rivals. The GC SUNS were embarrassed by the Lions in the most recent encounter at the Gabba to the tune of 54 points and will keen to atone for that, with both sides likely to feature much stronger outfits in 2015.
Jack Redden, Daniel Rich, and off-season signings Dayne Beams and Allen Christensen were not in the Lions’ line-up for QClash 8, but should be an integral part of their midfield rotation come round five.
The GC SUNS also had a number of stars out for the same fixture and will welcome back the likes of Ablett, Kade Kolodjashnij and Trent McKenzie, along with the additions of Malceski and Hallahan for what should be a tantalising contest.
Round 8 - Saturday May 23, 4:35pm
Gold Coast vs Collingwood @ Metricon Stadium
The win over Collingwood in round 16 this year is one that most Gold Coast SUNS fans will never forget. In front of the first-ever sell-out crowd at Metricon Stadium, the SUNS recorded a remarkable five-point victory with their backs to the wall, playing the final quarter of the game with no interchange rotations.
Collingwood will head to the Glitter Strip for a third successive season to take on the SUNS at Metricon Stadium, with Gold Coast hoping to keep its unbeaten record at the ground intact against the black and whites.
Round 10 - Saturday June 6, 4:35pm
Gold Coast vs Sydney Swans @ Metricon Stadium
On Queen’s Birthday weekend, Gold Coast will welcome 2014 grand finalist Sydney Swans to Metricon Stadium in what shapes up as an intriguing battle.
Nick Malceski will play his first game against the side he kicked to victory in the 2012 AFL Grand Final, and the young SUNS lineup will be fired up for this game, given it’s a golden opportunity to stamp its finals credentials over a perennial AFL powerhouse of the past decade.
Round 21 - Saturday August 22, 4:35pm
Gold Coast vs Essendon @ Metricon Stadium
Essendon will visit Metricon Stadium for just the second time in the home and away season; the last occurring in 2012 when the Bombers recorded a 17-point win over Gold Coast despite 45 possessions to skipper Gary Ablett.
The SUNS have never beaten Essendon but 2015 presents Gold Coast with its best opportunity yet, against a side that has 16 AFL/VFL premierships to its name.
