The Gold Coast SUNS reserves are well and truly in the hunt of playing finals football this season, although they are fighting for just one position between four teams.
 
With just five games remaining in the NEAFL season, and the SUNS just one game outside the top six, Josh Fraser’s side is well placed to play in September. Directly above Gold Coast is Redland, with Sydney University two games clear of the Bombers in fifth position.
 
Ainslie and Southport sit directly below the SUNS with the former on 18 points and the Sharks on 16. Both sides have superior percentages to Gold Coast with this a major area of concern in the final stage of the season. The SUNS have a dismal percentage of 77.09, thanks in part to the massive loss to UWS prior to the bye, whilst the other two sides are in the high 80s.

Round 17 v NT Thunder (11-3)
Metricon Stadium, Saturday 1 August
 
The task begins this Saturday afternoon at Metricon Stadium with premiership fancies Northern Territory Thunder making the trip east to southern Queensland. The Thunder sit in second position on the ladder behind the all-conquering Giants and have 11 wins to their name from 14 games.
 
Victory will be difficult to achieve this weekend but with several players returning from injury via the NEAFL, the SUNS will be strengthened in the closing chapters of the home and away season.

Round 18 v Brisbane Lions (1-13)
Coorparoo, Saturday 8 August
 
The next assignment will be Brisbane at Coorparoo in a game the SUNS should win given the Lions sit anchored to the bottom of the NEAFL ladder with just one win for the year. If Gold Coast are going to play finals, a win is a must.

Round 19 v Sydney (9-5)
SCG, Saturday 15 August

Round 19’s clash against Sydney at the SCG presents another colossal task for Fraser’s side and could be pivotal to securing a spot inside the top six by year’s end. Sydney currently sit in fourth position at 9-5 and with their AFL side set for another tilt at a deep finals date, they will be needing their reserves to be on song at the business end of the season – making the task that little more difficult.

Round 20 v Eastlake (1-11-1)
Metricon Stadium, Saturday 22 August
 
Following the trip to the harbour city, Eastlake travel to Metricon Stadium for Gold Coast’s final home game of the season. This game is a must win for the SUNS and a match that should be won given the Canberra club’s poor season which has reaped just one win.

Round 21 v Ainslie (4-8-1)
Alan Ray Oval, Saturday 5 September
 
The final game of the home and away season could end up being ‘last day madness’ given the SUNS travel to Ainslie who currently sit one position behind Fraser’s team. Gold Coast currently sit half a game in front of Ainslie, and by the final round, if the margin remains the same or on the other side of the ledger, the game could be a mini-final.
 
Percentage is not something that should be underestimated during the final quarter of the season. It is the very reason why it plays a part in the game and against  sides like Brisbane and Eastlake, if the opportunity presents to put them to the sword, the SUNS must ruthlessly execute their opposition to ensure they improve their unimpressive percentage.