The Gold Coast SUNS VFL team will play in the primetime Thursday night timeslot this week with a QClash preview against the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium.

The Thursday night fixture has been used in recent weeks to broadcast one VFL game a round, with the SUNS set to feature in the VFL QClash this week.

SUNS VFL Head Coach Tate Kaesler said it was fantastic for the club’s VFL players to get national exposure.

“It’s a great opportunity for Queensland footy to be able to show off the two Queensland AFL teams on Thursday night footy,” Kaesler said.

“I think it’s great for our fans as well being able to see the future of this football club and some of the guys that are potentially going to take this club even further than where we’re heading at the moment as well.

“There’s going to be a great audience from all reports they’ve had the last few weeks so we’re really excited for the opportunity.”

2021 is the first year the SUNS have been involved in the VFL competition since 2010 as the club prepared to enter the AFL.

The SUNS have joined the revamped competition alongside AFL clubs Sydney, GWS and Brisbane as well as former NEAFL clubs Southport and Aspley.

Kaesler said the quality of competition was noticeable and the perfect environment to be developing the next crop of AFL stars at the SUNS.

“We’re really privileged to be able to play in this competition,” he said.

“We think it’s the best competition for us to be able to develop our players. We can get these guys consistently playing against really competitive players every week.”