Assistant coach Dean Solomon will coach the Gold Coast SUNS in Sunday's NAB Challenge match against Brisbane in Townsville. 

GC SUNS coach, Guy McKenna said Solomon would fulfil the senior coach role in the lead up to the game and throughout Sunday's match.  

“This is a great opportunity for Dean to continue to add to his coaching credentials."

McKenna said Solomon had earned the responsibility to coach the side. 

"Dean has developed substantially as a coach over the last three seasons and is more than ready to take the reins on the weekend."

McKenna will use the opportunity to observe the game and coaching operations from both the coaches’ box and interchange bench. 

Solomon, a member of Essendon’s 2000 premiership team, played 209 games for the Bombers and Fremantle. 

He says he is looking forward to leading the team against the Lions this weekend.

“It is something I have never experienced before and something I am looking forward to,” Solomon told goldcoastfc.com.au.

“It will be great to sit in the hot seat and see what it is all about.”

Retiring as a player in 2010, Solomon joined Gold Coast SUNS later that year as an assistant coach, fulfilling the role as defensive coach.