The Gold Coast SUNS will return to its home away from home this Saturday night, with Great Barrier Reef Arena set to come alive for a Pride Round clash against Melbourne.
The SUNS have won its past five matches and will be hunting a sixth consecutive win when they meet the Demons.
“We're going up there to play a brand of footy that has been pretty consistent this year,” Gold Coast SUNS Head Coach Rhyce Shaw said.
“Our group's hungry. We're hitting this last month in as good a space as we've been all year. We're really looking to have a crack.”
Saturday night will also provide an opportunity to rewrite the history books, with the SUNS calling on Mackay to help break its current AFLW attendance record at Great Barrier Reef Arena.
The record stands at 2,788 fans, set when the SUNS hosted Geelong at the venue in 2020.
“It's a great opportunity to play up in North Queensland where they don't get a lot of footy,” Shaw said.
“We’re happy to do our bit and happy to get into the community.
"Hopefully they come and watch a really good game of footy, which hopefully grows the (AFLW) game up there - that’s what it’s all about.”
For co-captain Lucy Single, the opportunity to play in Mackay is one the playing group looks forward to each season.
“Mackay gives you that really good community feel, it’s super exciting to play there,” Single said.
“It's a chance for us to move as a pack and move as one. Travelling together, staying the night before together as well. We really love playing up there.
“Every week has been a building block for us and it's been a building block to play Melbourne.
“We know Melbourne are a good team but we know if we play our brand of footy, we'll be able to match them."
Saturday night will mark the seventh time the SUNS have played at Great Barrier Reef Arena, with 12 players set to take the field in Mackay for the first time.
Meanwhile, Single, Charlie Rowbottom and Daisy D'Arcy will each make their sixth appearance for the SUNS at the venue.
The occasion will be made even more special as the SUNS run out in its 2026 Pride Round guernsey, celebrating self-expression, inclusivity and the club's commitment to creating a space where everyone can be themselves.
“Our team love playing in Pride Round and we love our Guernsey this year,” the SUNS skipper shared.
“(The design) expresses our group and the authenticity that we have. We’re a fresh, fun and unique group who love each other and love playing footy.
“We love the stickers and what they represent and everyone has a story that links in with it.
“If we can harness that Pride power this weekend, that will provide some really awesome footy."
Lock in your Saturday plans with tickets to Round 9. Cheer on the SUNS from 7:15pm AEST as the squad run out under a display of fireworks and stick around to meet our AFLW stars at the Boundary Club. Gates open from 6:00pm AEST.
