PROS: Just two six-day breaks for the SUNS, and despite a tough start, they face top-eight teams from this year just five times in their last 14 games.

CONS: Play five 2016 finalists in the first eight games before the bye, including a lost home game against Port in China, and face both Sydney teams away.

PLAY TWICE: Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide

BYE: Round nine, after the match in Shanghai

FIRST FOUR WEEKS: Brisbane Lions (h), Greater Western Sydney (a), Hawthorn (h), Carlton (a)

LAST FOUR WEEKS: Fremantle (a), Brisbane Lions (a), Essendon (h), Port Adelaide (a)

SIX-DAY BREAKS: Two

SUNS SAY: "We are incredibly pleased with our 2017 fixture," Gold Coast chief executive Andrew Travis said. "To have the core group of traditional Melbourne clubs playing on the coast is not only great for us, but will be extremely beneficial for the broader Gold Coast. A great example of that is we know Collingwood fans love travelling to the coast and playing them in the middle of the July school holidays will have Magpie families across the country booking their winter vacations to the Gold Coast immediately. Hosting this selection of teams is unique especially when you consider it will only be just the second time both Richmond and Hawthorn have played a game on the coast since our establishment."

AFL.com.au SAYS: If the SUNS can get their best 22 on the park before the bye in round nine it could set up their season, especially with three of their five games against this year's finalists being played at home. They'll need to get their travel perfected with a trip to China in round eight, then Darwin in round 10. Jaeger O'Meara gets to see his former team twice in rounds three and 12, while Dion Prestia heads back to Metricon Stadium with Richmond in round 19. - Adam Curley

Click here to see the full 2017 fixture