The North East Australian Football League today announced the 2019 season fixture, which sees seven home curtain raisers at Metricon Stadium headline the Gold Coast SUNS’ season.
Six of the seven will be played AFL-aligned teams, with the ‘2Clash’ against traditional rivals the Brisbane Lions scheduled for Saturday, April 27.
The curtain raisers give SUNS members and fans plenty of opportunities to watch the NEAFL team, but also provide benefits for the football program according to NEAFL Coach Nick Malceski.
“All the coaches and senior players get to watch the NEAFL team, so it’s a real bonus to get the home games prior to the AFL,” Malceski said.
Those clashes can take on more importance when playing against other AFL aligned teams.
“In the past we’ve seen that the NEAFL team set the tone for the AFL guys, so that’s what we’ll try and do this year as well.”
Gold Coast will need to wait until Round 11 to take on the reigning NEAFL Premiers.
The SUNS take on Southport Sharks, Patron Partner of the SUNS, at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday, June 15.
Gold Coast will have three scheduled byes throughout the season, falling in rounds seven, 12 and 18.
The SUNS’ 2019 campaign will kick off with an away clash against last season’s preliminary finalists Canberra Demons on Sunday, April 6.
Gold Coast SUNS 2019 NEAFL Fixture
Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Home/Away | Local Time |
1 | Saturday, April 6 | Canberra | Alan Ray Oval (Ainslie) | Away | 12.00pm |
2 | Sunday, April 14 | Sydney Swans | Metricon Stadium | Home | 11.00am |
3 | Saturday, April 20 | GWS Giants | BISP | Away | 10.30am |
4 | Saturday, April 27 | Brisbane Lions | Metricon Stadium | Home | 10.05am |
5 | Saturday, May 4 | NT Thunder | TIO Stadium | Away | 6.30pm |
6 | Saturday, May 11 | Aspley | Voxson Oval | Away | 1.30pm |
7 | BYE |
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8 | Saturday, May 25 | Sydney Swans | Metricon Stadium | Home | 11.30am |
9 | Saturday, June 1 | GWS Giants | Sydney Showground | Away | 10.05am |
10 | Saturday, June 8 | Brisbane Lions | Metricon Stadium | Home | 12.55pm |
11 | Saturday, June 15 | Southport Sharks | Fankhauser Reserve | Away | 1.30pm |
12 | BYE |
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13 | Saturday, June 29 | Sydney Swans | SCG | Away | 12.55pm |
14 | Saturday, July 6 | Redland | Metricon Stadium | Home | 10.30am |
15 | Saturday, July 13 | Sydney Uni | BISP | Away | 12.00pm |
16 | Saturday, July 20 | Brisbane Lions | Gabba | Away | 3.45pm |
17 | Sunday, July 28 | GWS Giants | Metricon Stadium | Home | 1.00pm |
18 | BYE |
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19 | Saturday, Aug 10 | Brisbane Lions | Gabba | Away | 12.55pm |
20 | Saturday, Aug 17 | Sydney Swans | BISP | Away | 10.30am |
21 | Saturday, Aug 24 | GWS Giants | Metricon Stadium | Home | TBC |
