The Gold Coast SUNS brought the heat to People First Stadium in Friday night’s season opener, delivering a 56-point demolition over Geelong.

Bailey Humphrey (four goals, 10 i50) fired the SUNS off to a HOT start, lighting up the scoreboard within the first minute, before going on to score another two in the opening term alone. Ben King came in hot also bagging four goals, giving the Gold Coast fans what they wanted.

01:18

Three kicks, three goals: Humphrey’s blistering start

Bailey Humphrey strikes three times in the first term to get the Suns off to a cracker

Amongst a host of goal scorers throughout the night, was star recruit Christian Petracca (three goals, 31 disposals) who snapped his first major on the run in SUNS colours. The 2021 Norm Smith medallist put on a classy performance across the midfield to surpass a career total of 5000 disposals and finish as the disposal match leader.

00:37

Trac star: Suns recruit cooks up sizzling third

Christian Petracca adds to his outstanding Gold Coast debut with a third goal of the night

Defender John Noble was immense across the field, finishing with 28 disposals and two majors, alongside SUNS skipper Noah Anderson (one goal,10 i50s, 24 disposals) who lead the team to a fiery 19.11 (125) to 10.9 (69) victory against the 2025 Grand Finalists, kickstarting the SUNS 2026 campaign.

In their first outing together, StreetSmarts SUNS Academy products Bodhi (19 disposals, six intercept possessions) and Zeke Uwland (16, five i50s) amassed a combined total of 35 disposals. The SUNS first debutant of the season played his role, involving himself in much of the games action with composure while the fourth-year defender was his reliable self in his 50th AFL match.

Witness more of the SUNS hot moments when the Gold Coast host the West Coast Eagles next Sunday, 15 March with a SUNS membership.