The Gold Coast SUNS VFL side gear up to take on Essendon in Saturday morning’s curtain raiser match at People First Stadium, the team's first home game since Round 1. 

The sides last met in Round 15 of the 2025 season, where the SUNS came out on top by 14 points, 14.16 (100) - 13.8 (86), a result the Gold Coast will be looking for once more this weekend, come the final siren  

Due to multiple byes, the start of the 2026 Smithy’s VFL season has been a slow one for the SUNS, resulting in focus being on training as well as learning from the couple of games played against Werribee and Southport.

“It’s hard to get continuity when you don't have consistency, so our trainings have been one thing that we've been focused on as much as we can, obviously always competing against the AFL team,” VFL Head Coach and Head of Development Tate Kaesler said.

“The contest and the offensive side of the game we want to get better at, so there's been a fairly big focus on that for this week's game and from a training perspective too.”

The presence of forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan will be felt from an offensive point of view this week as the first-year SUN  is set to make his return after missing the Round 3 hit out against Southport due to a small knee operation.

“Jamarra built into the training last week, this week he’s been doing full training sessions, and today he looked really sharp,” Kaesler said.

“He’s keen, eager and ready to go so offensively we’re looking at getting the ball and delivering it well to him so he can show his strengths.

“We’re looking for him to work hard to get after the opposition, laying tackles and then hopefully he can push himself into AFL contention in the next few weeks.”

Also running out in Saturday morning's curtain raiser match, to continue their development in the SUNS system, will be 2025 Telstra Draft duo and StreetSmarts SUNS Academy products Jai Murray and Beau Addinsall, who are yet to play this season due to injury.

“The boys have done a really good job in rehab with their diligence - they've been super,” the VFL Head Coach said.

“We’re really excited from a footy club perspective that they’re coming in, and it’s really exciting for our fans to see the guys we have drafted.

“It’s good to have the quality of those two players coming in for their first game, and it’s going to add to our midfield mix.

Additionally, Saturday’s game will not only be a development opportunity for SUNS players but also for coaches.

Development Coach Richard Douglas will get a chance to test the waters this weekend and take the reins from Kaesler.

“We’re really big as a club that it’s not just about the players, it’s about developing our staff as well, giving them the opportunities to do so where we can,” Kaesler said. 

“Richie will do all the preparation, get experience addressing the team and hold some more responsibility this week.

“Hopefully, throughout the season, we can drip feed the other couple of development opportunities that we’ve got into those opportunities as well.”

VFL Round 4: Seven ins to face Bombers

The Gold Coast SUNS VFL team to take on Essendon at People First Stadium in Saturday mornings hit out has been locked in.

Jamarra Ugle Hagan has been named as one of six AFL-listed players to return to play this week after undergoing minor knee surgery, in addition to captain Alex Sexton.

StreetSmarts SUNS Academy products Beau Addinsall and Jai Murray will run out to play their first game of the season after both being sidelined at the beginning of 2026 due to injury.

Fellow academy products Lachie Gulbin and Sam Clohsey will also join the team this week as does Max Knobel, contributing to the tally of 18 AFL-listed players locked in to take on Essendon.

Secure your tickets to Round 6 at People First Stadium to catch the SUNS VFL side as they play Essendon as the curtain raiser at 9:30am AEST, entry via Gate 3 from 9:15am AEST, or catch all the action live on Kayo from 9:30am AEST.