The Gold Coast SUNS have confirmed its side to take on the Geelong Cats this Friday night at People First Stadium.
In what is set to be the hottest show in town, Damien Hardwick has named several new faces to run out in SUNS colours.
Star recruit Christian Petracca will don the SUNS guernsey for the first time while the club’s first pick in the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft Zeke Uwland will make his AFL debut, as confirmed on Wednesday.
The occasion marks not only the first time that Zeke will play alongside older brother Bodhi at AFL level, but also Bodhi’s 50th game for the SUNS. The pair will become the second set of brothers to ever play for the club together, following in the footsteps of Gary Ablett Jnr and brother Nathan Ablett.
Opening Round also marks a milestone game for vice-captain Sam Collins, who has been selected for his 150th AFL game, in which 136 have been in the red and gold.
Will Graham is set to make his long-awaited return to field alongside fellow Palm Beach Currumbin junior Ethan Read, who missed last week’s AAMI Community Series game against the Lions due to concussion.
Nine StreetSmarts SUNS Academy products will feature in the side to take on Geelong, including small forward Leo Lombard, who is set to play his fourth game for the club after a strong pre-season.
Catch the VFL as a curtain raiser at 3:00pm AEST on the Austworld Centre Oval before enjoying a blockbuster of pre-show entertainment at People First Stadium from 5:00pm ahead of the SUNS kickstarting its 2026 campaign at 7:05pm.
