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It was wet, wild, ugly and just the way Stuart Dew liked it as the Gold Coast Suns notched a 16-point win in his first game in charge.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Gold Coast Suns 7.13 (55)
North Melbourne Kangaroos 5.9 (39)
The Gold Coast Suns welcome the North Melbourne Kangaroos to Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns for their season opener. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:25pm (AEDT).
The opening AFL round has thrown a few games together that have left the public not knowing who to tip. One does get the feeling that this is another one of those games.
Both sides will be looking to improve on last season’s efforts after they both finished within the bottom four. At times, both sides played footy that competed with the competitions elite, but consistency proved to be their downfall.
The Suns have proven a bit of a bogey team for the Kangaroos over the years, especially when it has involved a trip up to Metricon Stadium.
I don’t think you will hear any of the Kangaroo supporters complaining about this fixture being at Cazaly’s Stadium, rather than Metricon Stadium.
When looking at the Suns, they will be a team that improves this season under Stuart Dew. They have lacked direction in previous years, but Dew will certainly provide them with a platform to build on.
He will be looking at the likes of Jarryd Lyons who had 39 disposals, and Tom Lynch who kicked five goals, the last time these two sides met to lead from the front again.
Sam Day will run out for his first competitive AFL match since 2016 after recovering from a dislocated hip. Lachie Weller, Aaron Young and Nick Holman will run out for the first time in a Suns guernsey.
As for the Kangaroos, Brad Scott knows his side are not the most skilled, but when they are up and running, the Kangaroos give any opposition a good contest.
If North are to improve on last season, then they need to get Todd Goldstein back to his best. A fit and in-form Goldstein changes the dynamic for Scott’s team.
There’s also no denying that Ben Brown needs to find goals for his side again.
In team news, Luke Davies-Uniacke will make his competitive AFL debut. There is much hype around the number four pick from last year’s draft.
Billy Hartung is also a new face to feature as he makes his North Melbourne debut after coming across from Hawthorn.
Prediction
The Gold Coast will surprise a few this season and will start the season off with a win.
Gold Coast Suns by 21.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:25pm (AEDT).
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