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It’s been pretty much two years to the day that the GC17 were granted a provisional licence to join the AFL. Now, they’re about to play their first ever senior AFL game on Saturday night against Carlton. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s exciting stuff.
There’s great anticipation about Saturday’s game and that’s a credit to the Gold Coast Suns and the AFL for the way they’ve developed this new franchise.
It’s a lesson for other codes hoping to expand, particularly the A-League, who appear to have fluffed their expansion attempts into north and south-east Queensland.
The Suns, as a club, have engaged and embraced the local community.
One particular example of this was with the issue the Suns faced with their new stadium at Carrara being unavailable for their first few home fixtures. It was hardly ideal.
Instead, they won’t play at Carrara until Round 10 and will be forced to play their first three games up at the GABBA in Brisbane, some 80 kilometres away.
But rather than bemoan their bad luck, the Suns have offered the local fans free public transport up to Brisbane to get to the game. There’s nothing revolutionary about it, but it’s a smart initiative. It’s the kind of thing fans appreciate.
It’s anyone’s guess what the attendance will be for Saturday’s Gold Coast debut but anything above 15,000 would be great.
Also, Round 10’s Carrara opener will be a debut in itself too. It’s exciting stuff.
As well, the Suns have hired locals for their coaching panel including ex-Brisbane Lions pair Marcus Ashcroft and Shaun Hart.
Yes, like Clive Palmer’s Gold Coast United, they’ve gone out and purchased a big superstar in Gary Ablett Jnr, but there’s been no bold statements, rather a more level-headed approach to setting expectations for season one.
Rightfully so, this club should struggle in season one and probably season two, but with their top young draft picks coming through, you’d fancy they’ll be pressing for finals and perhaps a few flags in a few years time.
For now, though, it’s about building the club off the field.
And there’s good signs.
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