GCFC CEO Travis Auld says last week’s AFL launch was a timely reminder that any novelty value or feelings of goodwill attached to the club’s arrival have now worn thin.

‘It became very evident that even a year out from our debut, we are part of this competition now. We are perceived as the opposition. From here on in it’s us versus them.’

Speaking on the eve of the club’s first VFL practice match against the Brisbane Lions Reserves at the Gabba on Saturday, Auld said the club’s draft concessions and its ability to attract uncontracted marquis talent was sure to intensify feelings towards the competition’s newest club.

‘[It] will annoy some people in other states. It’ll upset members of other clubs. But I’m here to represent the Gold Coast. No one else.’

He said healthy rivalry between clubs was an important feature of the competition.

‘History tells you the competition is built on it,’ he said.

He pulled no punches about where he sat in relation to non-Gold Coast perceptions of GCFC.

‘I’d like to see our club loved by Gold Coasters and hated by the other clubs.’

‘The rules are in place to give us an opportunity to build an exciting footy club,’ he said. ‘Within those rules, we’ll leave no stone unturned to get the best players.’

With a new administration base now built and with a roof now covering the new southern stand at the club’s Carrara home ground, Auld said things were tracking well. But he emphasised the need for grassroots support.

‘All these things say to me that we are moving forward, that we are stepping in the right direction. But what we want more than anything else is the support of Gold Coast people. And that might be those who love the game as well as those who love their city and want to see it beat the other clubs and states.’