The Gold Coast SUNS will host all the major Victorian heavyweights at Metricon Stadium in 2017 in a bumper fixture for AFL fans in Southeast Queensland.
It’s been a hard task to narrow the calendar to five must-see dates, but here are our picks of the bunch for 2017.
Round 1 v Brisbane Lions
Metricon Stadium
Saturday, March 25 – 6.25pm
It’ll be an all-Queensland affair in round one when rivals Brisbane travel down the M1 to face the SUNS at Metricon Stadium on a Saturday night.
The rivalry has intensified over the past 12 months and will be further strengthened by Irishman Pearce Hanley’s recent defection into red and gold.
Gold Coast currently hold the QClash Cup and you can expect a fiery battle in five months time as the SUNS look to start off their 2017 campaign in winning fashion.
There’s also the potential for several new faces in the SUNS lineup with new recruits Hanley, Jarryd Lyons and Jarrod Witts all pushing for round one berths as will Gold Coast’s bevvy of first-round draft picks in next month’s national draft to be held in Sydney. Oh, and don’t forget the old, with Gary Ablett, David Swallow and company looking to return to the field after injury-plagued seasons.
Round 3 v Hawthorn
Metricon Stadium
Sunday, April 9 – 4.40pm
Hawthorn returns to Metricon Stadium for the first time since 2014 and only the second time in history.
The Hawks will be without club legends Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis who departed Waverley Park in the trade period, but there will be one familiar face in the brown and gold with former SUN rising star Jaeger O’Meara switching allegiances in the off-season.
The SUNS have never beaten the Hawks in eight attempts and will be looking to break the duck in front of their home fans in round three.
Round 8 v Port Adelaide
Jiangwan Sports Centre, Shanghai
Sunday, May 14 – 1.20pm
History was made on Wednesday in Melbourne with Port Adelaide and Gold Coast announcing they would play an AFL game for premiership points in China, the first clash outside of Australia and New Zealand during the regular season.
Jiangwan Stadium in Shanghai will play host to the game and if you needed an excuse to visit the Celestial Empire, this is the one!
Round 17 v Collingwood
Metricon Stadium
Saturday, July 15 – 4.35pm
Metricon Stadium achieved a record attendance for the SUNS' game against Collingwood in July 2014, the club’s first ever sell-out with over 24,000 patrons in attendance to witness the home side record a memorable victory.
With another school holiday clash scheduled for 2017, SUNS HQ will be looking for a similar attendance (and result) against Nathan Buckley’s men.
Round 19 v Richmond
Metricon Stadium
Saturday, July 29 – 7.25pm
Richmond will also make just their second appearance at Metricon Stadium with the SUNS winning the most recent game on the Gold Coast in round one, 2014 by 18 points.
The Tigers midfield will be boosted next season by former SUNS Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy, who will pull on the yellow and black following moves in the off-season.
Gold Coast have split their six games with Richmond and will want to shift the ledger in their favour in this round 19 clash.
Five must see games in 2017
It’s been a hard task to narrow the calendar to five must-see dates, but here are our picks for 2017.
