The Gold Coast SUNS’ first ever AFL Finals side has been locked in ahead of this weekend’s trip to Perth to face the Dockers.
A history making night awaits for the SUNS in Perth, who head into their first AFL Finals series full of confidence following a 95-point demolition of Essendon – a club record 15th win of the season – just eight days ago.
As confirmed earlier this week, inaugural SUN and games record holder David Swallow will play his 248th game for the SUNS and first final on Saturday night at Optus Stadium. Swallow’s inclusion is the only change to the side from last week’s win over the Bombers with the two-time Players’ Player coming into the side in place of Jake Rogers.
Rogers remains among the emergencies alongside Oscar Adams and Ned Moyle.
Fresh off earning their first All Australian blazers, Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell will lead the charge in midfield in their maiden finals appearance, supported by Jarrod Witts and Touk Miller who will break through for the first taste of finals football in their 204th and 213th matches respectively.
Ben King will look to become the first SUN to kick 70 goals in an AFL season, with 69 to his name following the home and away season. The team features four StreetSmarts SUNS Academy graduates in Connor Budarick, Joel Jeffrey, Ethan Read and Bodhi Uwland – the latter getting to live out a childhood dream as a lifelong Gold Coast SUNS supporter.
All-in-all, 20 players will get their chance to experience finals football for the first time. Daniel Rioli (13 finals), John Noble (seven) and Ben Long (one) are the three players in the side with previous experience in September.
SUNS fans on the Gold Coast are encouraged to get along to the live site on the HOTA Outdoor Stage with plenty of activities for the whole family from 5pm before the game on the big screen at 7:35pm. Fans in Perth are invited to The Merrywell (Great Eastern Highway, Burswood) from 1:30pm AWST to join in the pre-game festivities.
All the AFL Finals action is live on 7, 7plus, Fox Footy and Kayo.
