I’m sure I am not alone, but I was a sceptic. When the news broke back in January of 2008, that the AFL was planing to have a team play on the Gold Coast, my instant reaction was simply: “Been there done that – it just doesn’t work.”
I know it was a long time ago, but doesn’t anyone remember the Bears?
No forget about that, just think about a number of sporting teams.
Rugby league had tried with the Gold Coast Giants, the Gold Coast Seagulls, and then the Gold Coast Chargers.
After a decade of trying to make it work, they gave it away.
When the AFL made it’s announcement, the NRL has just begun trying again on the Coast, with the Gold Coast Titans playing in 2007 for the first time, and while their crowds were good, there was still skepticism about their long term future.
And then remember the Gold Coast Cougars, Gold Coast Rollers and Gold Coast Blaze – all now extinct National Basketball League teams.
And again, doesn’t anyone remember the Brisbane Bears?
The AFL had played five games on the Coast during 2006 and 2007 – the first time since the Bears left town in 1992 – but we hardly saw those matches ignite thoughts of a desperate need for a team on the Coast.
North Melbourne had played three games there in 2007 and while there had been talk about the Kangaroos relocating, that hardly looked like a winner.
Of course there are expats there, but the consensus was the Gold Coast was a tourist town, with beaches and sunshine, not a footy town.
But what would I know. The AFL went ahead, the Suns were born, they chased and caught the best player in the game, surrounded him with some established talent and some talented youngsters, build a new home ground, and voilà, a football club is born.
It was a battle, and it still is. Crowds fell last season after the interest of their debut year in 2011 waned, and results hadn’t improved. And again in 2013, while wins flowed more freely, there were still plenty of doubters, not only on the Coast, but around the country.
But then came last Saturday. Watching from afar on television as they managed the club’s first win over a top eight team in their stunning victory over Collingwood, it was impossible to not become somewhat of a believer.
It wasn’t just the on-field result. Watching the crowd shots of the Suns’ fans, firstly anxiously biting nails, willing the siren to arrive as the Pies surged, then displaying absolute jubilation when that siren sounded, you really could feel the passion through the TV screen of those Gold Coast fans among the 19,721 at Carrara Stadium.
They really do want this team. They really do appreciate it, and clearly support it with the passion required. They hurt in defeat, and rejoice in victory. What would I know, it does work!
They have built it, and I’m sure as the saying goes, the people will come. Still even now, their 13,325 average crowd, is far from disappointing.
Many scoffed when Gary Ablett jnr decided to accept the offer of the Suns. It was said they just wanted him to be the face to promote the club, but he would flounder not being among his champion Geelong teammates.
They offered him everything including the kitchen sink. Judging by what we are seeing of Gaz, they should have thrown in the entire kitchen, the bathroom and an ensuite. He’s worth so much more than he’s getting.
We knew he was a superstar capable of winning games off his own bat, but he is showing tremendous leadership ability at the Suns.
Watching on Saturday it was great to see the way he helps those around him, he gives teammates that pat on the back, and words of encouragement when they do well or make mistakes.
He apologises when he makes a rare error, and celebrates like a kid in a lolly shop when they get a win.
Of course there is a long way to go before they Suns are where the AFL – and their fans – want them to one day be, but they are well and truly on the right road.
Like many I too was a skeptic about putting a team in Western Sydney. I hope one day soon I will be able to say I was wrong about that too.
How good it would be to see the Giants and their fans, on board the rollercoaster that is what being a football fan is all about?
Martyn50
Roar Rookie
Move over NRL in Queensland. The suns are heading for a take over
Gyfox
Guest
19,460 at Metricon Stadium today. 2nd week in a row Suns have got more than 19,000
Martin
Guest
Yeah your right Queenslander, I would like to take back my comment above. I guess I must have been having bad day on the 25th. To suggest a rule about which teams are allowed to be in the top four is crazy; each team must have equal opportunity.
Queenslander
Guest
Martin Your suggestion makes no sense. why do the Victorian, South Australian or Western Australian Teams are (by your theory) allowed to have 2 or more teams in the top 4 but not Queensland and NSW. that suggestion seems to be a bit unfair for those players and clubs that deserve to be in the top 4. This would destroy the game as it would be unfair not only the players and clubs but there passionate fans. WHY is it terrible to have a top 4 with Sydney, Brisbane, Gold coast and GWS but its ok to have a Geelong, Hawthorn, Essendon and Sydney, after all they are all rightful AFL teams.
Martin
Guest
It is a worry that these expansion teams can only get stronger with their respective population's catchment area. I kind of fear that they could in 20 years or so emulate the Sydney Swans. I believe that the competition needs to change the rules so that teams from NSW and QLD should not have more than one of their sides inside the top four. Worse case scenario, imagine what an outrage it would be if they occupied all four top positions.
Martyn50
Roar Rookie
Now that the Suns are winning at home the next step is to win against the big sides in Melbourne. Even the Eagles with basically a state team had trouble with flying and playing in Melbourne with low away supporters back in 1987.
Queenslander
Guest
I am a Suns fan and a Aussie Rules fanatic. It is nice to see an article that actually gets Gold Coast Fans. We are passionate and loyal just like any of the Melbourne sides. I am glad that Michael,s article expresses this as so many articles on the suns are negative and degrading. This as a suns fan and a Queensland footy fan can get frustrating. Thanks for the insightful and truthful article. GO THE SUNS
Scottie
Guest
I am a GC supporter from outside of the coast and a fairly new fan to footy in recent years. It's good to see them winning games and being competitive. I really hope they can be successful off the field an it looks like they are getting there. Holding onto the players from prying Victorian clubs in the next years will be the key to there success. One thing is for sure though. There coming!
Mark
Guest
That may be right or wrong, but membership to 12 home games for a family of four starts at $398 for the Titans for reserved seats. The closest equivalent price wise for the Suns is unreserved seats for a family of four at $408 ( 11 home games) There is also a Suns unreserved option for a family of four behind the goals at $510 Reserved at the Suns (family of 4) starts at $630
James d
Guest
It is in the GC costs titanium tickets costs $64 for an adult ticket that's the best seats near the 50m line and gold is $50 on the 10-20m line and steel which is behind the goals is $35 that is outrageous pricing how they can justify that is beyond me
Dean
Guest
As a Geelong fan, it was a shame to see Gazza go to GC, but knowing his history, isn't it great to see him beating a path that even his old man couldn't have made! Couldn't be happier for him and in hindsight, I'd think most Geelong fans are the same as me thinking he's made the right decision. (Even if we'd have won maybe one more flag if he'd stayed, we equally could have lost the development of Duncan or Christensen) I just hope to see them get up into the top 8 before Gazza's age eventually catches up with him (within 5 years) which I think is likely. I'd call them my second team, I'd happily go and support them in an away Melbourne fixture. My British partner is a default Geelong supporter, but she's 50/50 with the GC because they were starting out the same year she moved to Oz and was asked (told) to be an AFL fan.
Norm
Guest
I paid $32 (pensioner concession) for an uncovered seat at Metricon....hardly cheap!
Australian Rules
Guest
The line that "NRL tickets are more expensive" just isn't true.
Mark
Guest
For mine the Suns play a great brand of football, and i love to watch them, and it appears i am not alone, 20k at the game, 59k watching FTA in SE QLD and a very healthy 309K on Fox, decent figures for mine. It appears that at grass roots level, from Auskick through to senior community football there is around 4-5k of people playing the game around the GC and hinterland, whcih had grown at roughly 10% each year, for the last 2. 4-5k of footballers is around what each WAFL club has in its district, and each district in Perth (there are 9 WAFL clubs) has around 175,000 people in it. (roughly) The population of the Gold coast is around 530,000, so you would imagine with natural growth, and not withstanding other popular football codes and sports that there is still plenty of room for growth.
Stavros
Guest
Not sure about the ticket price angle. Would League supporters go and watch the Suns just because the tickets were a bit cheaper? If they even are. The Titans were giving free memberships to kids, when an adult bought a membership.
Riddos
Guest
Yeah probably, Suns won it last year so will hold no fear for them. Suns will still get the odd game where they fade in the 4th but they'll become fewer and fewer. I'll be there cheering the Red Gold & Blue with some Blues fan mates, bring it on!
Australian Rules
Guest
Franko, you're talking about culture there. If a club can foster a good culture, in which the players feel like they are supported and developing and are "part of something", homesickness plays a far smaller role.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
As a casual AFL fan, I have to admit that I love watching the Suns play. I wouldn't go as far as to say 'second favourite team' or anything like that, but I really appreciate how hard they play. Right from their inception, they've played a great brand of footy. As a side note, I first watched them for the curious Karmichael Hunt factor, and even now when he's not playing, I still watch them. That suggests to me that the AFL's strategy worked perfectly.
Bettina
Guest
More strengths of Gary Ablett emerging. We all know about the talent, but add inspiration, dedication, perserverance, humility,etc,etc you get my message) He just seems to have been blessed with...the lot . except for one small thing....his blonde flowing locks have ..gone with the wind.!! But the cattery up here at Tweed Heads love his clean,scrubbed, shiny look.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Might have a lot to do with the price of tickets. The Titans have some of the highest in the league due to how stadiums queensland works. Hopefully that will be fixed next year with Greenburg moving into a role that will allow him to implement some of the stuff he has done at the Bulldogs across the NRL as a whole.