Gold Coast Suns

Australian rules football club

This article is about the Australian rules football team. For the defunct baseball team, see Gold Coast Suns (baseball).

Australian rules football club

Gold Coast Suns

Names
Full name| GCFC Limited, trading as Gold Coast Suns[1]
Nickname(s)| Suns, Sunnies, Coasters
2023 season
Home-and-away season| AFL: 15th
Leading goalkicker| AFL: Ben King (40 goals)
Gold Coast Suns Club Champion| AFL: Noah Anderson
Club details
Founded| 2009; 15 years ago (2009)
Colours|  Red
Gold
Blue
Competition| AFL: Senior men
AFLW: Senior women
VFL: Reserves men
Chairman| Bob East
CEO| Mark Evans
Coach| AFL: Damien Hardwick
AFLW: Cameron Joyce
VFL: Josh Drummond
Captain(s)| AFL: Touk Miller & Jarrod Witts
AFLW: Tara Bohanna
VFL: TBD
Premierships| AFL (0)
AFLW (0)
VFL (1)

* 2023

Ground(s)| People First Stadium (capacity: 22,500)
Training ground(s)| People First Stadium & Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre
Uniforms

Home

Away

|

Other information
Official website| goldcoastfc.com.au

The Gold Coast Suns, officially the Gold Coast Football Club, are a professional Australian rules football club that competes in the Australian Football League (AFL). The club is based on Queensland's Gold Coast in the suburb of Carrara.

The club has been playing in the AFL since the 2011 season. It plays home matches at Carrara Stadium (known for commercial purposes as People First Stadium) and has its training and administrative facilities located at the adjacent Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre. The club is one of two AFL clubs based in Queensland, the other being its main rival, the Brisbane Lions which it competes against in the QClash.

In addition to the men's team, the Suns field other teams including an AFL Women's side, a reserves side in the Victorian Football League, and a Gold Coast Suns Academy side consisting of the club's best junior development signings contests Division 2 of the men's and women's underage championships and the Talent League.

## History

[edit]

Main article: History of the Gold Coast Suns

Chart of yearly ladder positions for Gold Coast in AFL

### Foundation

[edit]

The first application for a licence by a Gold Coast team to enter the AFL was made in 1996 by the wealthy and popular Gold Coast based Southport Sharks club (formed 1961), with an excess of 20,000 members, the on-field QAFL powerhouse made a formal bid to the AFL. However, the AFL declined the license in favour of admitting the Port Adelaide Football Club. There was strong opposition from the majority of the QAFL clubs and supporters, and the AFL felt that the popular Sharks brand, and its reliance on gaming and hospitality revenue, could divide rather than unite the Gold Coast community. In 2006, the AFL attempted to negotiate a merger between the Sharks and a Melbourne-based club. The AFL made the Gold Coast a primary target for a proposed relocation of the North Melbourne Football Club which had sold some of its home games there. The league pushed for a merger with the Sharks offering significant financial incentives, however North Melbourne blocked the move and the AFL decided that a new licence would be the best avenue for moving forward. On 24 December 2007, the AFL obtained Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) registration for the name "Gold Coast Football Club Ltd".[2][3] In March 2008 the AFL won the support of the league's 16 club presidents to establish sides on the Gold Coast and in Western Sydney.[4][5] Shortly thereafter the AFL invited the Sharks to become part of a consortium, and the club made a $150,000 donation and sought to meet the strict criteria set down for inclusion by the AFL.[6] As part of the winning bid, the Sharks contributed $10 million in corporate sponsorship. However the AFL officially ruled out use of the Sharks nickname (along with other nominations including the Dolphins and Pirates) for the new club, despite them being the highest polling choices of AFL supporters.[7] The club's identity was put to a public nomination and voting process with the Marlins and Stingrays being the most popular of the available options among community stakeholders. In response to the poll, however the AFL announced that it would not adopt any of the community suggested names and the team would initially remain unnamed and that the nickname would evolve. However it was later leaked that the AFL's marketing department had already chosen the Suns brand independent of the community consultation.[8]

The new club was formally granted the licence to compete in the AFL on 31 March 2009.[9]

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou announced the club could debut in the Queensland State League in 2009 as it recruited players and prepared for its debut season in the AFL, which the league scheduled for 2011.[10] Marquee AFL players such as Nick Riewoldt,[11] Lance Franklin[12] and Kurt Tippett[13] were speculated as potential signings for Gold Coast, though all three men ended up re-signing with their existing clubs. In June 2008 it was announced that the new team would play in the TAC Cup in 2009 and the Victorian Football League in 2010 ahead of its entry into the AFL in 2011.[14] Later that year the board of business-people who had been appointed to set up the club, and were known as the GC17 bid, appointed WAFL coach and former West Coast player Guy McKenna as senior coach.[15] Essendon administrator Travis Auld was selected as head of the GC17 board, and would go on to lead the club in an off-field capacity for several years.[16][17]

The AFL were able to successfully negotiate with the Queensland Government to redevelop Carrara Stadium as the club's new home ground. The announcement of the redevelopment, of which a small portion was funded by the AFL, was made in May 2009.[18] On 22 July 2010 club administrators announced that the club would be known as the Gold Coast Suns, and adopt the colours red, gold and blue.[19]

### 2009: TAC Cup

[edit]

Main article: 2009 Gold Coast Football Club season

The club's newly assembled junior squad competed in the 2009 TAC Cup under 18 competition and won most of their games, eventually finishing in 5th place. They defeated the Northern Knights in the elimination final but then lost their semi final to the Geelong Falcons.[20][21]

### 2010: VFL

[edit]

Main article: 2010 VFL season

In November 2009 the team signed twelve 17-year-olds around the country to compete in the Victorian Football League (VFL) year through the under age access rules. These players included Luke Russell (Burnie), Maverick Weller (Burnie), Taylor Hine (Calder), Josh Toy (Calder), Matt Shaw (Dandenong), Piers Flanagan (Geelong), Hayden Jolly (Glenelg), Alex Keath (Murray), Jack Hutchins (Sandringham), Tom Nicholls (Sandringham), Brandon Matera (South Fremantle), Trent McKenzie (Western Jets).

The Gold Coast was also given permission (by the AFL) to play David Swallow in 2010, despite not being the correct age. The deal that was struck with the AFL stated that Swallow would still need to go through the 2010 AFL Draft to officially join the team, while the other under age recruits contracts would run through 2011.

These are the results and fixture for the 2010 season, in which the club competed in the Victorian Football League (VFL).[22]

Inaugural VFL team

Inaugural GCFC team (Round 1, 2010 season)  B: | Matt Shaw | Jack Hutchins | Michael Gugliotta

|
|
|

HB: | Taylor Hine | Michael Coad | Maverick Weller
C: | Trent McKenzie | Marc Lock (c)  | Luke Russell
HF: | Alik Magin | Charlie Dixon | Brandon Matera
F: | Liam Patrick | Nathan Ablett | Rex Liddy
Foll: | Zac Smith | Daniel Harris | Sam Iles
Int: | Danny Stanley | Rory Thompson | Hayden Jolly
| David Swallow | Luke Shreeve  | Joseph Daye
Coach: | Guy McKenna
Gold Coast Season 2010

| Rd | Home team | Score |  | Away team | Score | Ground | Date

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | Gold Coast  | 15.7 (97)  | def by  | Port Melbourne | 15.19 (109)  | Fankhauser Reserve  | Saturday, 10 April
2  | Gold Coast  | 11.11 (77)  | def by  | Williamstown | 16.17 (113)  | Merrimac Oval  | Saturday, 17 April
3  | Werribee | 11.18 (84)  | drew with  | Gold Coast | 12.12 (84)  | Chirnside Park | Saturday, 24 April
4  | Gold Coast  | 10.9 (69)  | def by  | Casey Scorpions | 10.17 (77)  | Fankhauser Reserve  | Saturday, 1 May
5  | Bendigo Bombers | 15.17 (107)  | def  | Gold Coast  | 12.9 (81)  | Queen Elizabeth Oval | Saturday, 8 May
6  | Gold Coast | 10.8 (68)  | def  | Geelong | 5.10 (40)  | Fankhauser Reserve  | Saturday, 15 May
7  | Gold Coast  | 5.8 (38)  | def by  | Collingwood | 7.15 (58)  | Fankhauser Reserve  | Saturday, 29 May
8  | Northern Bullants | 26.10 (166)  | def  | Gold Coast  | 9.7 (61)  | Visy Park | Saturday, 5 June
9  | Coburg Tigers | 17.21 (123)  | def  | Gold Coast  | 11.10 (76)  | Highgate Recreation Reserve  | Saturday, 12 June
10  | Gold Coast | 15.13 (103)  | def  | Frankston | 7.4 (46)  | Merrimac Oval  | Saturday, 26 June
11  | Gold Coast  | 11.8 (74)  | def by  | Box Hill Hawks | 19.16 (130)  | Fankhauser Reserve  | Saturday, 3 July
12  | North Ballarat | 6.12 (48)  | def  | Gold Coast  | 3.1 (19)  | Eureka Stadium  | Saturday, 10 July
13  | Gold Coast | 13.12 (90)  | def  | Bendigo Bombers | 13.11 (89)  | Cazaly's Stadium | Saturday, 17 July
14  | Gold Coast | 14.15 (99)  | def  | Sandringham | 11.7 (73)  | Cooke-Murphy Oval  | Saturday, 24 July
15  | Geelong | 13.10 (88)  | def  | Gold Coast  | 11.5 (71)  | Skilled Stadium | Saturday, 31 July
16  | Casey Scorpions | 18.11 (119)  | def  | Gold Coast  | 17.13 (115)  | Casey Fields | Saturday, 7 August
17  | Gold Coast | 15.9 (99)  | def  | Werribee | 14.14 (98)  | Fankhauser Reserve  | Saturday, 14 August
18  | Collingwood | 21.12 (138)  | def  | Gold Coast  | 13.10 (88)  | Victoria Park | Saturday, 21 August

Source: 2010 VFL Season Results

### 2011: AFL debut

[edit]

Concessions on entry into the AFL

Year | Draft Picks | Senior List Size | Salary Cap Allowance | Zone Access | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

2009 | - | - | - | 20 QLD | The club was granted access to twenty 17-year-old Queensland players who were eligible for the 2009 AFL Draft. The team competed in the under 18 TAC Cup competition in 2009.
2010 | - | - | - | 5 QLD
2 NT | The club was allowed to sign up to twelve 17-year-olds born between 1 January and 30 April 1992. The club also received the first 5 picks in the rookie draft. The team competed in the Victorian Football League competition in 2010.
2011 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 26, 43 | 48 | $1,000,000 extra | 5 QLD | At the conclusion of the 2010 season the club was able to sign up to 16 current AFL players who were uncontracted for the 2011 season. The club was also allowed to sign up to 10 players who had previously elected for the national draft and weren't selected.
2012 | AFL Standard | 46 | $800,000 extra | 5 QLD | \-
2013 | AFL Standard | 42 | $600,000 extra | AFL Standard | \-
2014 | AFL Standard | 40 | $400,000 extra | AFL Standard | \-
2015 | AFL Standard | AFL Standard | AFL Standard | AFL Standard | All concessions removed and the club operates like every other team in the AFL.

Players acquired through concessions

Concession | Players acquired

|

QLD Zone Access | Joseph Daye (2009), Charlie Dixon (2009), Jesse Haberfield (2009), Tom Hickey (2010),
Rex Liddy (2010), Marc Lock (2009), Lewis Moss (2010), Zac Smith (2009),
Jack Stanlake (2009), Jack Stanley (2009), Rory Thompson (2009), Joel Wilkinson (2010).
NT Zone Access | Steven May (2010), Liam Patrick (2009).
2009 Rookie Selections | Daniel Harris (1), Michael Coad (2), Sam Iles (3), Roland Ah Chee (4),
Danny Stanley (5).
2009 Underage Selections | Piers Flanagan, Taylor Hine, Jack Hutchins, Hayden Jolly, Brandon Matera,
Trent McKenzie, Tom Nicholls, Luke Russell, Matt Shaw, Josh Toy,
Maverick Weller.
2010 Off Contract Signings | Gary Ablett Jr, Nathan Bock, Jared Brennan, Campbell Brown, Josh Fraser,
Jarrod Harbrow, Nathan Krakouer, Michael Rischitelli.
2010 Draft Selections | David Swallow (1), Harley Bennell (2), Sam Day (3), Josh Caddy (7), Dion Prestia (9),
Daniel Gorringe (10), Tom Lynch (11), Seb Tape (13).

Initial 2011 playing squad recruitment

2011 Playing Squad

Name | State | Recruited From | Selection Type
Charlie Dixon | Queensland | Redland Bombers | Zone Selection
Rex Liddy | Queensland  | Kenmore Bears | Zone Selection
Lewis Moss | Queensland  | Port Douglas Crocs | Zone Selection
Zac Smith | Queensland  | Southport Sharks | Zone Selection
Jack Stanlake | Queensland  | Southport Sharks | Zone Selection
Joel Wilkinson | Queensland  | Broadbeach Cats | Zone Selection
Joseph Daye | Queensland  | Southport Sharks | Zone Selection
Rory Thompson | Queensland  | Southport Sharks | Zone Selection
Tom Hickey | Queensland  | Morningside Panthers | Zone Selection
Marc Lock[23] | Queensland  | Labrador Tigers | Zone Selection
Steven May | Northern Territory | Melbourne Grammar School | Zone Selection
Liam Patrick[24] | Northern Territory  | Wanderers Eagles | Zone Selection
Karmichael Hunt[25] | Queensland  | Biarritz Olympique | Rookie Promotion
Daniel Harris | Victoria | North Melbourne Kangaroos | Rookie Promotion
Michael Coad | South Australia | Sturt Double Blues | Rookie Promotion
Sam Iles | Tasmania | Box Hill Hawks | Rookie Promotion
Danny Stanley | Victoria  | Collingwood Magpies | Rookie Promotion
Luke Russell[26] | Tasmania  | Burnie Dockers | Underage
Maverick Weller[27] | Tasmania  | Burnie Dockers | Underage
Matt Shaw[27] | Victoria  | Dandenong Stingrays | Underage
Trent McKenzie[27] | Victoria  | Western Jets | Underage
Josh Toy[27] | Victoria  | Calder Cannons | Underage
Hayden Jolly[28] | South Australia  | Glenelg Tigers | Underage
Brandon Matera[29] | Western Australia | South Fremantle Bulldogs | Underage
Taylor Hine[30] | Victoria  | Calder Cannons | Underage
Piers Flanagan[31] | Victoria  | Geelong Falcons | Underage
Tom Nicholls | Victoria  | Sandringham Dragons | Underage
Jack Hutchins | Victoria  | Sandringham Dragons | Underage
Alex Keath | Victoria  | Murray Bushrangers | Underage
Nathan Bock | South Australia  | Adelaide Crows | Uncontracted
Nathan Krakouer | Western Australia  | Port Adelaide Power | Uncontracted
Michael Rischitelli | Victoria  | Brisbane Lions | Uncontracted
Campbell Brown | Western Australia  | Hawthorn Hawks | Uncontracted
Jarrod Harbrow | Queensland  | Western Bulldogs | Uncontracted
Gary Ablett, Jr. | Victoria  | Geelong Cats | Uncontracted
Josh Fraser | Victoria  | Collingwood Magpies | Uncontracted
Jared Brennan | Northern Territory  | Brisbane Lions | Uncontracted
David Swallow[32][33] | Western Australia  | East Fremantle Sharks | National Draft (1)
Harley Bennell[33] | Western Australia  | Peel Thunder | National Draft (2)
Sam Day[33] | South Australia  | Sturt Double Blues | National Draft (3)
Josh Caddy[33] | Victoria  | Northern Knights | National Draft (7)
Dion Prestia[33] | Victoria  | Calder Cannons | National Draft (9)
Daniel Gorringe[33] | South Australia  | Norwood Redlegs | National Draft (10)
Tom Lynch[33] | Victoria  | Dandenong Stingrays | National Draft (11)
Seb Tape[33] | South Australia  | Glenelg Tigers | National Draft (13)
Jeremy Taylor[33] | Victoria  | Geelong Falcons | National Draft (39)
Jacob Gillbee[33] | Tasmania  | Lauderdale Bombers | National Draft (49)
Nathan Ablett | Victoria  | Geelong Football Club | Pre Season Draft (1)

#### Inaugural AFL team

[edit]

Inaugural Gold Coast team (Round 2, 2011 season)  B: | Seb Tape | Nathan Bock | Campbell Brown

|
|
|

HB: | Jarrod Harbrow | Karmichael Hunt | Nathan Krakouer
C: | Trent McKenzie | Daniel Harris | Michael Rischitelli
HF: | Danny Stanley | Charlie Dixon | Alik Magin
F: | Jared Brennan | Zac Smith | Brandon Matera
Foll: | Josh Fraser | David Swallow | Gary Ablett (c)
Int: | Marc Lock | Harley Bennell | Dion Prestia
| Josh Toy |  |
Coach: | Guy McKenna[34]

### 2011–2014: McKenna era

[edit]

Further information: 2011 Gold Coast Football Club season

Further information: 2012 Gold Coast Football Club season

AFL Hall of Fame legend Guy McKenna, inaugural coach

Guy McKenna would continue to coach the team throughout the 2011 season and beyond, after successfully guiding the club through its journey in the TAC Cup and VFL in 2009 and 2010. The Suns would play their first four "home" games of the 2011 AFL season at the Gabba in Brisbane, while their home stadium (Metricon Stadium) underwent final redevelopment works.

Michael Rischitelli was instrumental in the club's first winning game with 31 disposals and 2 goals against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in Round 5 of the 2011 season.

Gold Coast had a bye in Round 1, and played its first AFL game debuted in Round 2 on 2 April 2011 against Carlton at the Gabba in front of a crowd of 27,914. The first five goals were scored by Carlton, before Charlie Dixon scored the first-ever goal for the Gold Coast Suns. Carlton went on to win by 119 points. Gold Coast won its first game in Round 5 on 23 April 2011, defeating Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium. Gold Coast trailed by 40 points late in the third quarter, before coming back to win by three points, after Port Adelaide's Justin Westhoff missed a set shot after the siren.[35] Michael Rischitelli was the best on ground. Gold Coast won two more matches for the season, winning the inaugural QClash against Brisbane Lions in Round 7 by eight points (which became the most-watched AFL match on pay television ever),[36] and defeating Richmond by 15 points in Round 17 in the first AFL match ever played at Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns. However, the Suns also suffered several more very heavy defeats during the year, including a 139-point loss to Essendon in Round 6 – in which Essendon scored a record 15.4 (94) in the first quarter – and a 150-point loss against Geelong in Round 20. The Suns went on to win the wooden spoon.

Gold Coast endured a poor pre-season in 2012 which included a 13-point loss to fellow AFL newcomers Greater Western Sydney. Their solitary win in that time was a narrow win over Melbourne in the triangular round of the 2012 NAB Cup.

The home-and-away season did not begin well for the Suns either, losing their first fourteen matches in succession to be the only winless team after Round 15 of the 2012 AFL season. Among the losses included losses by more than ninety points to Collingwood and St Kilda (twice), seven-point losses to Fremantle and North Melbourne at home and a 27-point loss to the newest AFL franchise, Greater Western Sydney. Their fourteen losses to start the season was the worst by any team since Fremantle lost its first 17 matches of the 2001 season. Their horror start to the season ended in round 16 with a narrow 2-point win against Richmond. They had a lead of up to 36 points halfway through the second quarter, which then shrank to 24 points after 2 quick goals before half time from Richmond. Richmond then had a six to two goal quarter, snatching the lead back. The lead then went to 18 points Richmond's way before Gold Coast snatched it back to just 4. With 5 seconds left, a kick from the right forward pocket in Gold Coast's 50 was marked by Karmichael Hunt. After the siren sounded he kicked the goal to make Gold Coast 2-point winners.[37]

Gary Ablett Jr was Gold Coast's inaugural marquee player and captain

The Suns then won two more matches for the season, a 30-point win against Greater Western Sydney in Round 20 and a 12-point upset win over Carlton in Round 22, both at home. The team finished 17th at the end of the season, only above Greater Western Sydney on the AFL ladder. In November 2012 the club announced their "20-ONE-3" plan that targeted signing twenty thousand members and winning a premiership within three years - by the conclusion of the 2015 AFL season. The plan was criticised as being overly ambitious.[38] By the end of the 20-ONE-3 period, the Suns had a highest membership of 13,643 (achieved in 2015) and a highest ladder position of 12 (10 wins - achieved in 2014).

In the 2013 AFL season Gold Coast made a much improved effort, highlighted by victories over seasoned opponents in Collingwood, St Kilda, the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne. Their improvement on the past two seasons was so stark that they were considered possibilities of securing an unlikely finals berth up until the final round after Essendon lost all their premiership points.[39] The Suns finished with 8 wins for the season and ended the season placed 14th on the ladder. Captain Gary Ablett won his second Brownlow Medal, the first such medalist to win the award at the club.

Despite losing veterans Jared Brennan and Campbell Brown ahead of the 2014 season, some experts predicted Gold Coast to "give the top 8 (finals) a nudge",[40] though the general consensus was that the Suns would likely finish around 13th.[41] Though beginning the season promisingly and entering Round 11 with a 7–2 record following impressive wins on the road against Melbourne, North Melbourne (who had defeated minor premiers Sydney three weeks earlier), and St Kilda, the Suns would stumble severely through the second half of the season. After captain Gary Ablett was injured in a win over Collingwood in round 16, the club went on to lose the next two matches, including one in the QClash against Brisbane. In round 19, the club recorded its inaugural win without their captain, defeating St Kilda. The club went on to lose the remaining matches of the season, finishing in 12th. Inaugural coach Guy McKenna was sacked at season's end, leaving the club after 88 games in charge and winning just over 25% of them.[42]

### 2015-2017: Rodney Eade

[edit]

Following McKenna's departure, the Suns announced Rodney Eade as their new coach. Eade had coached the Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs to multiple finals series and was regarded by some pundits as a good choice to push the Suns into a maiden finals campaign.[43] In his first season, Eade made the decision to rush back Gary Ablett Jr into the side, which led to the on-field targeting of the star midfielder, while key position players Charlie Dixon and Harley Bennell were traded to other clubs as the Suns lost their opening four games and never recovered, finishing the 2015 season in 16th place with only four wins.[43] The club started the 2016 season with three consecutive wins and defeated minor premiers Fremantle, giving the impression it was on the verge of achieving sustained on-field success.[44] However it would only win a further three matches for the season and Ablett was again sidelined with a serious shoulder injury, while other players were lost to a combination of injury and suspension.[43] The Suns hit the mid-to-late stage of the following season in reasonable form with a 6–8 win–loss record, though disastrously lost their last eight matches and finished in 15th place.[45] Divisions between some of the players and Eade's cautious game-style emerged and by Round 19 club officials sacked Eade, citing a poor win–loss record.[46] Eade's departure was exacerbated at the end of the season by Ablett's request to be traded back to his original club Geelong, despite having another year to serve on his contract with the club.[47]

### 2018-2023: Stuart Dew

[edit]

The club appointed Port Adelaide and Hawthorn premiership player Stuart Dew as coach ahead of the 2018 season. Under Dew, the Suns adopted a draft strategy of recruiting young players, which in part contributed to a second-last finish in 2018 and last place finish in 2019, the latter being the club's second wooden spoon. David Swallow was appointed captain in 2019 and emerging talent such as Izak Rankine and Matt Rowell showed signs of propelling the club to better results in the future, though Rankine left the club in 2022 to play with Adelaide. Following their best win-loss record in 2022 (10 wins for a 12th placed finish), the club stagnated on the field in 2023 and again failed to make finals. On 11 July 2023, Suns officials announced that Stuart Dew would no longer be the coach after two consecutive losses to Collingwood and Port Adelaide that eliminated them from finals contention.[48] Dew finished with 30.17% winning record over six seasons with the club.[49] Steven King was appointed interim coach for the remainder of the season.

### 2024 and beyond: Damien Hardwick

[edit]

On 21 August 2023, the club announced that three-time Richmond premiership coach Damien Hardwick had signed on as coach of the senior team for six years.[50] In round 10 of the 2024 AFL season the Suns recorded their highest ever total to date, with 26 goals and 8 behinds, amassing a total score of 164 in a 64-point victory over Geelong.

## Stadium

[edit]

Carrara Stadium

Location| Nerang–Broadbeach Road,
Carrara, Queensland,
Australia, 4211
Owner| Queensland Government
Operator| Stadiums Queensland
Capacity| 25,000 (23,500 seats)
Field size| 171 x 144 metres
Construction
Opened| 1987
Renovated| 2010–11
Architect| Populous (2010)

Main article: Carrara Stadium

Gold Coast began playing at Carrara Stadium in their foundation year of 2009. Although the ground had existed since 1987, the Gold Coast Football Club's establishment in late 2008 prompted the club to use the stadium as their home ground during the 2009 TAC Cup. The ground opened in 1987 and was used by the Brisbane Bears for the first six years of existence and was later used by the North Melbourne Kangaroos and several professional Rugby league teams.

The insufficient and outdated facilities at Carrara Stadium led to the Australian Football League investigating several stadium options for the Gold Coast's inaugural AFL season in 2011. A new $172 million stadium in Helensvale was a strongly considered option.[51][52] The AFL eventually brokered a deal with the Gold Coast City Council and the Queensland Government to redevelop Carrara Stadium. The $144.2 million upgrade would increase the stadium capacity to 25,000.

Construction for the redevelopment of Carrara Stadium began in December 2009 and the Gold Coast was required to find a new home ground for the 2010 VFL season. The team shared their games among local grounds Fankhauser Reserve, H & A Oval and Cooke-Murphy Oval. The redevelopment ran into the 2011 AFL season and the Gold Coast were again required to find a temporary home ground. The Suns elected to use the Gabba for their first three home games of the 2011 season.

The redeveloped Carrara Stadium (commercially known as Metricon Stadium) was officially opened on 22 May 2011 by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh. Six days later, the Gold Coast Suns hosted their first home match at the redeveloped Carrara Stadium against the Geelong Cats. Two months later, the Suns attracted the largest crowd ever at the Carrara Stadium in a game against Collingwood that attracted an attendance of 23,302, a record was broken in round 16 of 2014 when 24,032 also attended against Collingwood.

The seating capacity was temporarily upgraded to 40,000 as part of the Gold Coast's successful bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Whilst the Suns have played most of their home games at Metricon Stadium, there have been several times when the club has played home games away from Carrara. In 2011, the club had to find a temporary home ground as the redevelopment ran into the 2011 AFL season. The Suns elected to use the Gabba for their first three home games of the 2011 season. The Gabba was again used in 2018 AFL season as Carrara was being prepared for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. In that season, they also played a home game in Cairns at Cazaly's Stadium, Perth at Optus Stadium and played the second of their home games in Shanghai at Jiangwan Stadium. This was following the club hosting the first-ever AFL game outside Australia or New Zealand in 2017 in Shanghai.

The club took a home game to their academy zone, Townsville at Riverway Stadium in 2019 before signing a deal with AFL Northern Territory to play a home game in their new academy zone Darwin at TIO Stadium from 2020 to 2024. The match scheduled for Darwin in 2021 was moved however due to COVID-19 and was played as a Suns home game at the Sydney Cricket Ground. In late June, all 18 AFL clubs relocated to Victoria due to various lockdowns due to COVID-19. This resulted in many games being relocated including a Thursday night home game from Metricon Stadium to Marvel Stadium. Brisbane Lions 'hosted' a game at Metricon Stadium against St Kilda as Greater Brisbane was still considered a red zone under Victorian COVID rules.

List of AFL Stadiums

Location  | Stadium  | Capacity  | Year  | Games

|
|
|
|

Carrara | People First Stadium | 25,000  | 2011–Present  | 103
Darwin | TIO Stadium | 12,500  | 2020–Present  | 1
Brisbane | The Gabba | 42,000  | 2011, 2018  | 4
Cairns | Cazaly's Stadium | 13,500  | 2018  | 1
Shanghai | Jiangwan Stadium | 11,000  | 2017-2018  | 2
Townsville | Riverway Stadium | 10,000  | 2019  | 1
Perth | Optus Stadium | 60,000  | 2018  | 1
Sydney | Sydney Cricket Ground | 48,000  | 2021  | 1
Melbourne | Marvel Stadium | 53,359  | 2021  | 1

Other home grounds used for the Suns include: AFL Pre Season: Fankhauser Reserve (2011, 2013, 2018), Riverway Stadium (2015, 2018), Merrimac Oval (2017), Great Barrier Reef Arena (2017, 2019) AFL Women's: Heritage Bank Stadium (2020-2021), Great Barrier Reef Arena (2020)

## Corporate

[edit]

### Governance

[edit]

The AFL Commission owns a majority stake in the club and elects seven of the nine members of its board with the two remaining being elected by the club members.

### Membership base and sponsors

[edit]

Year | Members | Change from previous season | Finishing position | Average home crowd[53] | Profit (Loss) | Kit manufacturer | Major sponsor/s | Shorts Sponsor | Back Sponsor

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2011 | 14,064 | N/A | 17th | 19,169 | Undisclosed profit[54] | Reebok | Hostplus (Home)
Virgin Australia (Away) | REED | Virgin Australia (Home)
Hostplus (Away)
2012 | 11,204 |  2,860 | 17th | 13,645 | ($1,401,168)[55] | —
2013 | 12,502 |  1,298 | 14th | 13,907 | $62,533[55] | 2XU
2014 | 13,478 |  976 | 12th | 16,092 | $1,062,082[56] | Hostplus (Home)
Fiat Automobiles (Away) | Crust Pizza | Fiat Automobiles (Home)
Hostplus (Away)
2015 | 13,643 |  165 | 16th | 12,360 | ($330,870)[57] | BLK | Solar Australia
2016 | 12,854 |  789 | 15th | 11,561 | ($2,941,965) | Austworld
2017 | 11,665 |  1,189 | 17th | 13,663 | $19,219[58] | XBlades | Hostplus | Hostplus
2018 |

12,108

|  443 | 17th | 13,547 | $1,160,912[59] | Hostplus (Home)
Cover-More (Away) | Cover-More (Home)
Hostplus (Away)
2019 | 13,649 |  1,541 | 18th | 11,417 | $248,795[60]
2020 | 16,236 |  2,587 | 14th | 2,632  | ($953,442)[61] | ISC
2021 | 19,460 |  3,224 | 16th | 6,903  | ($276,219)[62]
2022 | 21,422 |  1,962 | 12th | 11,298  | ($2,600,000)[63]
2023 | 23,359 |  1,937 | 15th | 13,733  | ($1,700,000)[64]

## Club symbols

[edit]

### Guernseys

[edit]

The three types of guernseys are:

* Home guernsey (worn since 2012): Red and gold based guernsey with the club logo in the middle. Hostplus sponsor on front and Cover-More sponsor on back (home shorts worn in home games and away pants shorts in away games).
* Away guernsey (worn since 2019): Blue Jersey Cover-More sponsor on front and Hostplus sponsor on back (away shorts worn).
* Clash guernsey (worn since 2016): White based guernsey with an arrow-shaped design which goes down to the bottom, coloured blue, gold and two shades of grey. Cover-More sponsor on front and Hostplus sponsor on back (away shorts worn). No longer worn as of 2019.

### Mascot

[edit]

The Suns' Mascot Manor representative and club mascot is "Sunny Ray". In June 2018 the Suns introduced their new mascot, "Skye".[citation needed]

### Song

[edit]

The team song is "Suns of the Gold Coast Sky".[65][66]

### Home Ground and training and administrative base

[edit]

The club's primary home ground is Carrara Stadium (known for commercial purposes as "Heritage Bank Stadium"), where they play home matches and train outdoors.[67] The club's indoor training and administrative facilities are located at the adjacent Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre.[68]

## Rivalries

[edit]

### Brisbane Lions

[edit]

Main article: QClash

The Gold Coast Suns have a local rivalry with fellow Queensland AFL team the Brisbane Lions. The two teams contest the "QClash" twice each season. The first QClash was held in 2011, with Gold Coast winning by 8 points; the game established the highest pay TV audience ever for an AFL game, with a total of 354,745 viewers watching the game.[36]

The medal for the player adjudged best on ground is known as the Marcus Ashcroft Medal. It is named after former footballer Marcus Ashcroft, who played junior football on the Gold Coast for Southport and 318 VFL/AFL games for the Brisbane Bears/Lions between 1989 and 2003. He later joined Gold Coast's coaching staff and was the first Queenslander to play 300 VFL/AFL games.[69] Sun Touk Miller has won the medal four times, the most by any player.

The trophy awarded to the winner of the game is currently known as the "QClash Trophy". The trophy is a traditional-looking silver cup with a wooden base and a plaque. The plaque's inscription reads from left to right, "Brisbane Lions AFC, QCLASH, Gold Coast Suns FC".[70]

## Administration

[edit]

A three-man committee of former Brisbane Lions chairman Graham Downie, Southport Sharks director Alan Mackenzie and lawyer and community leader John Witheriff established the club's administration.[2] As part of the AFL bid criteria, the GC17 consortium required a commitment from 20,000 locals to become football club members, a $5 million net asset base and 111 sponsors (at least one major, 10 secondary level and 100 tertiary) by mid-October 2008.[71]

## Recruitment

[edit]

Gary Ablett (no. 9) was Gold Coast's marquee player and captain

In the leadup to the 2009 AFL Draft, the AFL allowed the Gold Coast to recruit 12 players born between January and April 1992, with all other AFL clubs being restricted to players born in 1991 or earlier.

Karmichael Hunt, a professional rugby league footballer with the Brisbane Broncos and rugby union side Biarritz Olympique in France's Top 14, signed a deal reportedly worth $3.2 million[72] to swap codes and play for the Gold Coast from 2010.[25]

Gary Ablett, Jr., dual premiership player with Geelong and winner of the 2009 Brownlow Medal, signed a deal reportedly worth $9.6 million over five years to captain the Gold Coast during their starting years.[73]

Other significant signings to the junior team that played in the VFL included Stanis Susuve (a member of Papua New Guinea's International Cup winning team) and Brandon Matera (whose father Wally Matera and uncles Peter and Phil all played senior AFL football with the West Coast Eagles).[29]

At the end of 2010 season, the club had been given the following concessions:[74]

* The ability to sign one uncontracted player from each of the 16 AFL clubs
* Zoned access to five Queensland players prior to the AFL draft
* The first pick in every round plus additional first round picks at Numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 and 15 of the 2010 AFL Draft
* The capacity to pre-list 10 players who had previously nominated for the AFL Draft, or were previously listed with an AFL club
* The first five selections of the Rookie Draft
* An expanded main list of 48 players (clubs are usually allowed 38)

### Initial 2011 playing squad recruitment

[edit]

2011 Playing Squad

Name | State | Recruited From | Selection Type
Charlie Dixon | Queensland | Redland Bombers | Zone Selection
Rex Liddy | Queensland  | Kenmore Bears | Zone Selection
Lewis Moss | Queensland  | Port Douglas Crocs | Zone Selection
Zac Smith | Queensland  | Southport Sharks | Zone Selection
Jack Stanlake | Queensland  | Southport Sharks | Zone Selection
Joel Wilkinson | Queensland  | Broadbeach Cats | Zone Selection
Joseph Daye | Queensland  | Southport Sharks | Zone Selection
Rory Thompson | Queensland  | Southport Sharks | Zone Selection
Tom Hickey | Queensland  | Morningside Panthers | Zone Selection
Marc Lock[23] | Queensland  | Labrador Tigers | Zone Selection
Steven May | Northern Territory | Melbourne Grammar School | Zone Selection
Liam Patrick[24] | Northern Territory  | Wanderers Eagles | Zone Selection
Karmichael Hunt[25] | Queensland  | N/A  | Rookie Promotion
Daniel Harris | Victoria | North Melbourne Kangaroos | Rookie Promotion
Michael Coad | South Australia | Sturt Double Blues | Rookie Promotion
Sam Iles | Tasmania | Box Hill Hawks | Rookie Promotion
Danny Stanley | Victoria  | Collingwood Magpies | Rookie Promotion
Luke Russell[26] | Tasmania  | Burnie Dockers | Underage
Maverick Weller[27] | Tasmania  | Burnie Dockers | Underage
Matt Shaw[27] | Victoria  | Dandenong Stingrays | Underage
Trent McKenzie[27] | Victoria  | Western Jets | Underage
Josh Toy[27] | Victoria  | Calder Cannons | Underage
Hayden Jolly[28] | South Australia  | Glenelg Tigers | Underage
Brandon Matera[29] | Western Australia | South Fremantle Bulldogs | Underage
Taylor Hine[30] | Victoria  | Calder Cannons | Underage
Piers Flanagan[31] | Victoria  | Geelong Falcons | Underage
Tom Nicholls | Victoria  | Sandringham Dragons | Underage
Jack Hutchins | Victoria  | Sandringham Dragons | Underage
Alex Keath | Victoria  | Murray Bushrangers | Underage
Nathan Bock | South Australia  | Adelaide Crows | Uncontracted
Nathan Krakouer | Western Australia  | Port Adelaide Power | Uncontracted
Michael Rischitelli | Victoria  | Brisbane Lions | Uncontracted
Campbell Brown | Western Australia  | Hawthorn Hawks | Uncontracted
Jarrod Harbrow | Queensland  | Western Bulldogs | Uncontracted
Gary Ablett, Jr. | Victoria  | Geelong Cats | Uncontracted
Josh Fraser | Victoria  | Collingwood Magpies | Uncontracted
Jared Brennan | Northern Territory  | Brisbane Lions | Uncontracted
David Swallow[32][33] | Western Australia  | East Fremantle Sharks | National Draft (1)
Harley Bennell[33] | Western Australia  | Peel Thunder | National Draft (2)
Sam Day[33] | South Australia  | Sturt Double Blues | National Draft (3)
Josh Caddy[33] | Victoria  | Northern Knights | National Draft (7)
Dion Prestia[33] | Victoria  | Calder Cannons | National Draft (9)
Daniel Gorringe[33] | South Australia  | Norwood Redlegs | National Draft (10)
Tom Lynch[33] | Victoria  | Dandenong Stingrays | National Draft (11)
Seb Tape[33] | South Australia  | Glenelg Tigers | National Draft (13)
Jeremy Taylor[33] | Victoria  | Geelong Falcons | National Draft (39)
Jacob Gillbee[33] | Tasmania  | Lauderdale Bombers | National Draft (49)
Nathan Ablett | Victoria  | Geelong Football Club | Pre Season Draft (1)

## Current squad

[edit]

Gold Coast Suns 2024 playing squad

* view
* talk
* edit

Senior list  | Rookie list  | Coaching staff

|
|

* 2  Rory Atkins
* 3  Sam Flanders
* 4  Brandon Ellis
* 5  Alex Davies
* 6  Alex Sexton
* 7  Nick Holman
* 8  Brayden Fiorini
* 9  Ben Ainsworth
* 10  Charlie Ballard
* 11  Touk Miller (c)
* 12  Sam Day
* 13  Jack Lukosius
* 14  Lachie Weller
* 15  Noah Anderson
* 16  Tom Berry
* 17  Jed Walter
* 18  Matt Rowell
* 19  Bailey Humphrey
* 20  Ethan Read

|  |

* 22  Ben Long
* 23  Sean Lemmens
* 24  David Swallow
* 25  Sam Collins
* 26  Will Graham
* 27  Wil Powell
* 28  Jarrod Witts (c)
* 29  Jake Rogers
* 30  Levi Casboult
* 31  Mac Andrew
* 34  Ben King
* 35  Connor Budarick
* 40  Joel Jeffrey
* 41  Malcolm Rosas Jr
* 44  Darcy Macpherson
* 46  Caleb Graham
* 47  Hewago Oea
* 49  Ned Moyle
* 50  Jy Farrar

|  |  |  |

* 21  James Tsitas
* 32  Bodhi Uwland
* 33  Sam Clohesy
* 36  Will Rowlands
* 38  Lloyd Johnston (B)
* 42  Jack Mahony
* 45  Sandy Brock

|  |

Head coach

* Damien Hardwick (Senior coach)

Assistant coaches

* Josh Drummond (Defence and Tackling)

* Tate Kaesler (Team Defence and Strategy)

* Jackson Kornberg (VFL Head Coach)

* Rhyce Shaw (Head of Development)

* * *

Legend:

* (c) Captain(s)
* (vc) Vice-captain(s)
* (B) Category B rookie

* italics \- Inactive player list

* Long-term injury

* (ret.) Retired

* * *

Updated: 3 August 2024
Source(s): Playing list, Coaching staff

## Coaching staff

[edit]

* Head coach:

* Damien Hardwick

* Assistant coaches:

* Josh Drummond Defence and Tackling Coach
* Tate Kaesler Team Defence and VFL Coach
* Tim Clarke Forwards and Training Design Coach
* Josh Francou Midfield and Stoppage Structures Coach
* Kurt Tippett Part Time Specialist Coach
* Neil Craig Part Time Coaching Team Consultant

* Head of Development:

* Rhyce Shaw

Click here for more information on Gold Coast's coaching staff

## AFL Women's team

[edit]

In September 2017, Gold Coast were granted a license by the AFL to compete in the AFL Women's league from the start of the 2020 season.[75] The club plays most home games at Carrara Stadium, though has occasionally played at Fankhauser Reserve in nearby Southport, and the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. The Suns women won only two of their sixteen matches across the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Inaugural coach David Lake left the club at the end of the 2021 season.[76] Lake was replaced by former North Melbourne football manager Cameron Joyce in June 2021.[77]

### Squad

[edit]

Gold Coast Suns (AFL Women's)

* view
* talk
* edit

Senior list  | Rookie list  | Coaching staff

|
|

* 1  Annabel Kievit
* 2  Lauren Bella
* 3  Darcie Davies
* 4  Claudia Whitfort
* 5  Maddy Brancatisano
* 6  Elise Barwick
* 7  Katie Lynch
* 8  Charlie Rowbottom
* 9  Clara Fitzpatrick
* 10  Ella Maurer
* 12  Tara Bohanna (c)
* 13  Lucy Single
* 14  Cara McCrossan
* 15  Wallis Randell
* 16  Ella Smith

|  |

* 17  Jamie Stanton
* 18  Georgia Clayden
* 19  Ashanti Bush
* 20  Daisy D'Arcy
* 21  Jordan Membrey
* 22  Charlotte Wilson
* 23  Sienna McMullen
* 24  Alana Gee
* 25  Meara Girvan
* 26  Kiara Bischer
* 27  Jacqueline Dupuy
* 30  Keely Fulleton
* 39  Vivien Saad
* 39  Taya Oliver

|  |  |  |

* 11  Niamh McLaughlin
* 32  Lauren McConville

|  |

Head coach

* Cameron Joyce

Assistant coaches

* Sam Iles (senior ast/midfield)

* Rory Thompson (backs)

* Jess Sedunary (forwards)

* James Barrett (development)

* Brooks Mustey (development)

* Jess Malouf (reserves)

* Brenton Male (development)

* * *

Legend:

* (c) Captain(s)
* (vc) Vice-captain(s)

* * *

Updated: 3 August 2024
Source(s): AFL Women's

### Season summaries

[edit]

Gold Coast AFLW honour roll

Season | Ladder | W–L–D | Finals | Coach | Captain(s) | Best and fairest | Leading goal kicker
2020 | 8th ^  | 2–3–1  | Semi-final  | David Lake | Leah Kaslar & Sam Virgo | Jamie Stanton | Kalinda Howarth (9)
2021 | 14th  | 0–9–0  | DNQ  | Sam Virgo & Hannah Dunn | Lauren Ahrens | Various (3)[a]
2022 (S6) | 10th  | 3–6–1  | Cameron Joyce | Hannah Dunn | Alison Drennan | Tara Bohanna (13)
2022 (S7) | 9th  | 5–5–0  | Tara Bohanna | Charlie Rowbottom | Tara Bohanna & Courtney Jones (8)
2023 | 5th  | 6–3–1  | TBD  | TBA  | Jamie Stanton (16)

^ Denotes the ladder was split into two conferences. Figure refers to the club's overall finishing position in the home-and-away season.

## Reserves team

[edit]

Main article: Australian Football League reserves affiliations

The Gold Coast Suns fielded a reserves team beneath the AFL team in the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL) competition between 2011 and 2019. Following the dissolving of the NEAFL at the end of the 2019 season, the Suns reserves team entered the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 2021[78] and claimed its first premiership in 2023 with a 19-point win against Werribee in the grand final.[79]

### 2024 playing squad

[edit]

Gold Coast Suns reserves  Primary list  | Development list  | Coaching staff

|
|

* 52  Finn Hay
* 57  Zac O'Brien
* 61  Tom Reeves
* 63  Ben O'Brien
* 70  James Frawley

|  |  |  |  |  |

* 0  Beau Lester-Sutherland
* 51  Charlie Elliott
* 53  Harry Sullivan
* 58  Matthew Evans
* 59  Josh Zanker-Close
* 62  Nathan Kady
* 64  Nick Francis

Other Academy players

* 0  Jai Murray
* 54  Leo Lombard
* 54  Lucas Snowball
* 55  Jezz Butler
* 55  Dylan Patterson
* 57  Zai Millane
* 65  Beau Addinsall
* 66  Lachlan Gulbin

|  |

Head coach

* Tate Kaeslar

* * *

Legend:

* (c) Captain(s)
* (vc) Vice-captain(s)
* (B) Category B rookie

* italics \- Inactive player list

* Long-term injury

* (ret.) Retired

* * *

Updated: 12 June 2024
Source(s): [80][81][82][83][84]

### Season summaries

[edit]

Season | Competition | W–L–D | Ladder position | Finals result | Coach | Best & Fairest

|
|
|
|
|
|

2011 | NEAFL
(Northern Conference) | 11-7-0 | 3rd | Semi-final | Shaun Hart | Jacob Gillbee
2012 | 9-9-0 | 5th | Elimination final | Alik Magin
2013 | 10-7-0 | 6th | DNQ | Jack Martin
2014 | NEAFL | 0-18-0 | 14th | DNQ | Josh Fraser | Leigh Osborne
2015 | 8-10-0 | 7th | DNQ | Tyrone Downie
2016 | 8-10-0 | 6th | Elimination Final | Stephen Daniel | Keegan Brooksby
2017 | 10-8-0 | 4th | Preliminary Final | Darcy Macpherson
2018 | 7-11-0 | 8th | DNQ | Nick Malceski | Jacob Dawson
2019 | 8-10-0 | 7th | DNQ | Tom Nicholls
2020 | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
2021 | VFL | 4-6-0 | 14th | DNQ | Tate Kaesler[85] | Will Brodie
2022 | VFL | 12-6-0 | 5th | Preliminary Final | Jackson Kornberg[86] | TBC
2023 | VFL | 16-2-0 | 1st | Premiers | Josh Drummond[87] | TBD

### Premierships (1)

[edit]

Year  | Competition  | Opponent  | Score  | Venue

|
|
|
|

2023 | VFL | Werribee | 17.10 (112) – 14.9 (93) | Ikon Park

## Gold Coast Suns Academy

[edit]

The Gold Coast Suns Academy

The Gold Coast Suns Academy, consisting of the club's best junior development signings, was formed in 2010. Over 40 of its players have gone on to play senior AFL.[88] It is one of four Northern AFL Academies including the Brisbane Lions Academy, Sydney Swans Academy and GWS Giants Academy.

2 full time staff manage selected underage players from age 12 up.[89] The academy also manages regional recruitment hubs in zones including: Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone, Northern Rivers region (New South Wales) and Darwin, Northern Territory (since 2019).

The men's and women's U16 and U18 teams have contested Division 2 of the men's and women's underage championships since 2017.

The Suns Academy also joined the Talent League for the 2019 NAB League Boys season and were inaugural winners of the Northern Academies competition.

Some of the Academy's most notable male players include the Gold Coast senior AFL players Jed Walter, Ethan Read, Jake Rogers, Will Graham, Connor Budarick, Lachie Weller, Jacob Dawson, Caleb Graham, Jack Bowes, Alex Davies, Jesse Joyce, Brad Scheer, Brayden Crossley, Jacob Heron, Max Spencer, Malcolm Rosas Jr and Joel Jeffrey. It also includes players who went on to other clubs : Bailey Scott, Braydon Preuss, Will Ashcroft, Andrew Boston and Josh Williams. Academy members who went on to excel in other sports include Patrick Murtagh and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.[90] Notable female academy players include Gold Coast senior AFLW players Lauren Bella, Dee Heslop, Taylor Smith, Tori Groves-Little, Daisy D'Arcy, Kalinda Howarth, Ellie Hampson, Serene Watson, Ashanti Bush, Jasmyn Smith, Wallis Randell, Annise Bradfield and Charlotte Hammans.

## Honour board

[edit]

Gold Coast Suns Honour Board

TAC Cup
Year | Position |

W-L-D

| % | Chairman | CEO | Coach | Captain | Club
Champion | Leading
Goalkicker
2009 | 5  | 10-7-1  | 111  | John Witheriff  | Travis Auld | Guy McKenna | Marc Lock | Marc Lock | Matt Fowler  | 43
Victorian Football League
2010 | 10  | 5-12-1  | 83  | John Witheriff  | Travis Auld  | Guy McKenna | Marc Lock | Sam Iles | Charlie Dixon
Brandon Matera | 22
Australian Football League
2011 | 17  | 3-19-0  | 56 | John Witheriff  | Travis Auld  | Guy McKenna | Gary Ablett Jr. | Gary Ablett Jr. | Danny Stanley | 20
2012 | 17  | 3-19-0  | 61  | John Witheriff  | Travis Auld  | Guy McKenna | Gary Ablett Jr. | Gary Ablett Jr. | Gary Ablett Jr. | 26
2013 | 14  | 8-14-0  | 92  | John Witheriff  | Travis Auld  | Guy McKenna | Gary Ablett Jr. | Gary Ablett Jr. | Gary Ablett Jr. | 28
2014 | 12  | 10-12-0  | 94  | John Witheriff  | Travis Auld  | Guy McKenna | Gary Ablett Jr. | David Swallow | Tom Lynch | 48
2015 | 16  | 4-17-1  | 73  | John Witheriff  | Andrew Travis  | Rodney Eade | Gary Ablett Jr. | Tom Lynch | Tom Lynch | 43
2016 | 15  | 6-16-0  | 78  | Tony Cochrane | Andrew Travis  | Rodney Eade | Gary Ablett Jr. | Tom Lynch | Tom Lynch | 66
2017 | 17  | 6-16-0  | 76  | Tony Cochrane | Mark Evans  | Rodney Eade
Dean Solomon | Tom Lynch
Steven May | Gary Ablett Jr. | Tom Lynch | 44
2018 | 17  | 4-18-0  | 60  | Tony Cochrane | Mark Evans  | Stuart Dew | Tom Lynch
Steven May | Jarrod Harbrow | Alex Sexton | 28
2019 | 18  | 3-19-0  | 61  | Tony Cochrane | Mark Evans  | Stuart Dew | David Swallow
Jarrod Witts | Jarrod Witts | Alex Sexton | 39
2020 | 14  | 5-11-1  | 91  | Tony Cochrane | Mark Evans  | Stuart Dew | David Swallow
Jarrod Witts | Sam Collins | Ben King | 25
2021 | 16  | 7-15-0  | 77  | Tony Cochrane | Mark Evans  | Stuart Dew | David Swallow
Jarrod Witts | Touk Miller | Ben King | 47
2022 | 12  | 10-12-0  | 103  | Tony Cochrane | Mark Evans  | Stuart Dew | Touk Miller
Jarrod Witts | Touk Miller | Mabior Chol | 44
2023 | 15  | 9-14-0  | 92  | Bob East  | Mark Evans  | Stuart Dew
Steven King | Touk Miller
Jarrod Witts | Noah Anderson | Ben King | 40

## Club records

[edit]

Main article: List of Gold Coast Suns records

## Club honours

[edit]

Premierships

Competition  | Team  | Wins  | Years Won
Australian Football League (2011–present) | Seniors (Men) | 0 | Nil
North East Australian Football League (2011–2019)
Victorian Football League (2021–present) | Reserves (Men) | 1 | 2023
AFL Women's (2020–present) | Seniors (Women) | 0 | Nil
Other titles and honours
NAB League Academy Series (2009, 2019–present) | Under 19s | 1 | 2019
Finishing positions
Australian Football League | Minor premiership | 0 | Nil
Grand Finalist | 0 | Nil
Wooden spoons | 2 | 2011, 2019
AFL Women's | Minor premiership | 0 | Nil
Grand Finalist | 0 | Nil
Wooden spoons | 1 | 2021
Victorian Football League | Minor premiership | 1 | 2023

## Match and season records

[edit]

* Highest score: Gold Coast 26.8 (164) v Geelong 15.10 (100), Round 10, 2024, TIO Stadium
* Lowest score: Gold Coast 3.2 (20) v Port Adelaide 20.15 (135), Round 23, 2017, Adelaide Oval
* Lowest winning score: Gold Coast 7.13 (55) v North Melbourne 5.9 (39), Round 1, 2018, Cazaly's Stadium
* Highest losing score: Gold Coast 17.11 (113) v West Coast 20.10 (130), Round 19, 2013, Patersons Stadium
* Greatest winning margin: 86 points – Gold Coast 21.13 (139) v Hawthorn 7.11 (53), Round 3, 2017, Metricon Stadium
* Greatest losing margin: 150 points – Gold Coast 6.2 (38) v Geelong 29.14 (188), Round 20, 2011, Kardinia Park
* Longest winning streak: 5 (round 5, 2014 - round 10, 2014)
* Longest losing streak: 21 (round 18, 2011 - round 15, 2012)
* Highest ladder position: 12th, 2014 & 2022
* Lowest ladder position: 18th (Wooden Spoon), 2019

### AFL finishing positions (2011–present)

[edit]

Finishing Position | Year (Finals in Bold) | Tally

|
|

Premiers | nil | 0
Runner Up | nil | 0
3rd | nil | 0
4th | nil | 0
5th | nil | 0
6th | nil | 0
7th | nil | 0
8th | nil | 0
9th | nil | 0
10th | nil | 0
11th | nil | 0
12th | 2014, 2022 | 2
13th | nil | 0
14th | 2013, 2020 | 2
15th | 2016, 2023 | 2
16th | 2015, 2021 | 2
17th | 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018 | 4
18th | 2019 | 1

## Individual awards

[edit]

All-Australian team

* Gary Ablett Jr: 2011 (c), 2012 (vc), 2013 (vc), 2014
* Tom Lynch: 2016
* Touk Miller: 2021, 2022

Leigh Matthews Trophy

* Gary Ablett Jr: 2012, 2013

AFLW All-Australian team

* Kalinda Howarth: 2020

Brownlow Medal

* Gary Ablett Jr: 2013

Ron Evans Medal

* Jaeger O'Meara: 2013

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Six players jointly won the club goalkicking for the 2021 season, with three goals for each player. Those players were Kalinda Howarth, Leah Kaslar, Maddison Levi, Sarah Perkins, Jamie Stanton and Sam Virgo.

## Notable Supporters

[edit]

* Mick Fanning (Australian professional surfer)[91]
* Anna Bligh (Former Queensland premier)
* Thomas Zahariou (musician, composer, and member of Aunty Donna)[92][93]

## See also

[edit]

* Queensland portal
* Sports portal
* Australia portal

* Sport in Australia
* Sport in Queensland
* Australian rules football
* Australian rules football in Queensland
* History of Australian rules football on the Gold Coast

## Books

[edit]

* Webber, Matthew (2012). The house of the rising sons. North Sydney, N.S.W.: Random House Australia. ISBN 978-1-74275-352-2. OCLC 754905224.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Current details for ABN 47 144 555 822". ABN Lookup. Australian Business Register. November 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
2. ^ a b Wilson, C; Silence from presidents means 18-team AFL, The Age. Retrieved 14 March 2008
3. ^ "ASIC Free Company Name Search". ASIC. Retrieved 7 September 2008.
4. ^ Wilson, Caroline; Raid on home turf of league Archived 7 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine; Realfooty.com.au; 16 February 2008
5. ^ "AFL". Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
6. ^ Sharks add $150k to Gold Coast bid from AFL.com.au May 31, 2008
7. ^ GC17 bid team float five names for club Jul 14, 2008
8. ^ Gold Coast: name your identity by Will Brodie for The Age July 14, 2010
9. ^ "Gold Coast gets AFL licence". ABC News. 1 April 2009.
10. ^ "Gold Coast to play in 2009". Archived from the original on 26 March 2008.
11. ^ "Gold Coast to target Riewoldt". Retrieved 23 April 2023.
12. ^ "Buddy Franklin plays it cool on Gold Coast talk | thetelegraph.com.au". Retrieved 23 April 2023.
13. ^ "Tippett should be tip-top Coast AFL target AFL | goldcoast.com.au | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia". Retrieved 23 April 2023.
14. ^ TAC Cup to help blood new team Archived 4 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine; realfooty.com.au
15. ^ "Guy McKenna named Gold Coast AFL coach". Archived from the original on 13 August 2008.
16. ^ "Bombers boss named Gold Coast CEO". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
17. ^ "'Big challenges' face new Gold Coast FC boss". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 May 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
18. ^ Rogers, Jenny (7 May 2009). "Canberra kicks in $36m for Coast AFL stadium". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
19. ^ "History". Gold Coast Suns.
20. ^ "Gold Coast Football Club – AFL – Results". Gold Coast FC.com.au. Archived from the original on 15 October 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
21. ^ "Gold Coast Football Club – AFL – TAC Cup Fixture". Gold Coast FC.com.au. Archived from the original on 16 October 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
22. ^ "Gold Coast Football Club – 2010 Season Fixture". VFL.com.au. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
23. ^ a b "GCFC Captain Locked In". Gold Coast FC. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
24. ^ a b "Gold Coast sign Liam Patrick, Liam Jurrah's cousin, ahead of rookie draft". Fox Sports. Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
25. ^ a b c "Karmichael Hunt deal salary cap free for Gold Coast FC". Retrieved 23 April 2023.
26. ^ a b "Dockers' young guns sign with Gold Coast". ABC News. ABC Sport. 28 July 2009. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
27. ^ a b c d e f g h Quayle, Emma (23 August 2009). "Gold Coast will have to wait for new Toy". Real Footy. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
28. ^ a b Holmesby, Luke. "SA's Jolly joins Gold Coast". AFL. Archived from the original on 1 October 2009. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
29. ^ a b c "Eagles blood in new GCFC recruit". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
30. ^ a b Jolly, Laura (19 October 2009). "Cannon Hine goes north to Gold Coast". Sunbury Leader. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
31. ^ a b Green, Bradley (23 November 2009). "Geelong Falcon hand-picked by Gold Coast AFL recruiters". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
32. ^ a b "West Australian Swallow joins Gold Coast Football Club". Gold Coast FC. 21 October 2009. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
33. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Gold Coast SUNS outstanding results at the 2010 NAB Draft". Gold Coast FC. 18 November 2010. Archived from the original on 29 November 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
34. ^ "Suns unveil first team". AFL BigPond Network. 31 March 2011. Archived from the original on 1 April 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
35. ^ "2011 AFL Season - 2011 AFL Season Port Adelaide vs. Gold Coast". ABC Radio Grandstand. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
36. ^ a b QClash sets TV record \- afl.com.au. Published 9 May 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
37. ^ "Hunt goal clinches Suns' win over Tigers". 14 July 2012.
38. ^ "The Gold Coast Suns declare they will win the flag and have 20,000 members by 2015". 23 November 2012.
39. ^ "Are the Suns coasting into the finals?". 24 June 2013.
40. ^ Stevo's AFL season preview: Gold Coast: 13th place
41. ^ "Gold Coast Suns 2014 season preview (Sports News First)". Archived from the original on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
42. ^ Gold Coast sacks Guy McKenna as speculation mounts club will make play for Essendon's Mark Thompson, News.com.au, 1 October 2014
43. ^ a b c "Where it all went wrong for Rodney Eade at the Gold Coast Suns". The Roar. 10 August 2017.
44. ^ "The Gold Coast Suns have finally grown up". The Roar. 18 April 2016.
45. ^ "2018 Season Preview: Gold Coast Suns". Zero Hangar. 1 March 2020.
46. ^ "Rodney Eade sacked by Gold Coast Suns as AFL coach". ABC News. 8 August 2017.
47. ^ Wilson, Caroline (8 August 2017). "Rodney Eade's appointment at Gold Coast cursed from the start". The Age.
48. ^ "Gold Coast Suns sack coach Stewart Dew with move for Damien Hardwick likely". The Guardian. 11 July 2023.
49. ^ "Stewart Dew". AFL Tables.
50. ^ "Damien Hardwick joins Gold Coast Suns as head coach on six-year deal". ABC News. 21 August 2023.
51. ^ Chambers, Geoff (4 September 2008). "D-day vote on $2 billion city projects". goldcoast.com.au.
52. ^ Chambers, Geoff (5 September 2008). "Council will chip in $10m transit centre cash for Aussie rules site". goldcoast.com.au.
53. ^ "AFL Tables - Gold Coast - Crowds". afltables.com.
54. ^ Afl Is Done Pinching Rugby League Players Demetriou The Daily Telegraph [dead link]
55. ^ a b "Gold Coast Football Club 2013 Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved 23 April 2023.
56. ^ "Microsoft OneDrive - Access files anywhere. Create docs with free Office Online". onedrive.live.com.
57. ^ "Gold Coast Football Club 2015 Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved 23 April 2023.
58. ^ "Gold Coast Football Club 2017 Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved 23 April 2023.
59. ^ "Gold Coast Football Club 2018 Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved 23 April 2023.
60. ^ "Subscribe to The Australian | Newspaper home delivery, website, iPad, iPhone & Android apps". The Australian.
61. ^ "Gold Coast SUNS Announce 2020 Financial Result". Suns Media. 12 February 2021.
62. ^ "Gold Coast SUNS - 2021 Financial Result". Suns Media. 17 February 2022.
63. ^ "SUNS announce 2022 financial result". Gold Coast Suns. 12 January 2023.
64. ^ "2023 GC SUNS FINANCIAL RESULT". Gold Coast Suns. 18 December 2023.
65. ^ "We are the Gold Coast SUNS!". goldcoastfc.com.au. 23 July 2010.
66. ^ "SUNS Song - GOLDCOASTFC.com.au/". Archived from the original on 18 January 2013.
67. ^ "Metricon Stadium". 15 March 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
68. ^ "SUNS unveil Elite Training & Administration Base". 9 February 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
69. ^ QClash 1: Marcus Ashcroft Medal announced (1 May 2011)
70. ^ Greg Davis; Andrew Hamilton (21 April 2012). "Lions star Jonathan Brown issues rallying cry ahead of QClash". The Courier-Mail.
71. ^ Barrett, D (22 May 2008). Gold Coast positive it can snare 17th AFL licence; Herald Sun Retrieved on 5 September 2008
72. ^ Time to show if Hunt has what it takes By Jon Pierik for The Age 12 June 2010
73. ^ Walsh, Courtney (29 September 2010). "Ablett leaves Geelong for Gold Coast". The Australian. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
74. ^ "Gold Coast's draft rules explained". AFL. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
75. ^ "AFLW: Tasmania-North Melbourne and Geelong win licenses to field teams in 2019". ABC News. 27 September 2017.
76. ^ "Thank you Lakey". Gold Coast Suns. 11 April 2021.
77. ^ Black, Sarah (2 June 2021). "Time to re-Joyce: Suns lock in new AFLW coach". AFL Women's Media. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
78. ^ Max Laughton (24 August 2020). "VFL to merge with NEAFL, under-18 comps revamped in massive changes to AFL's second tier". Fox Sports. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
79. ^ Nathan Schmook (24 September 2023). "Suns claim first silverware with comeback VFL GF win over Werribee". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
80. ^ Rhodes, Brendan (19 March 2024). "Smithy's VFL List Update - 2024 Season". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024.
81. ^ "Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast SUNS". AFL.com.au. 5 May 2024. Archived from the original on 12 June 2024.
82. ^ "Carlton v Gold Coast SUNS". AFL.com.au. 25 May 2024. Archived from the original on 12 June 2024.
83. ^ "Gold Coast SUNS v Werribee Tigers". AFL.com.au. 2 June 2024. Archived from the original on 12 June 2024.
84. ^ "Sandringham Zebras v Gold Coast SUNS". AFL.com.au. 8 June 2024. Archived from the original on 12 June 2024.
85. ^ "VFL SUNS v Southport: Practice Match Report". Gold Coast Suns. 27 March 2021. "Speaking to SUNS Media post game, VFL Head Coach Tate Kaesler said the side would need to focus on ensuring they performed across all four quarters."
86. ^ "Jackson Kornberg appointed VFL Head Coach". Gold Coast FC. 1 November 2021.
87. ^ "SUNS Announce Coaching Structure Changes". Gold Coast FC. 28 October 2022.
88. ^ Gold Coast Suns Academy Graduates
89. ^ How the northern football academies work By Michael Whiting on Feb 18, 2015
90. ^ "NQ Cowboys flyer could have made AFL". 21 February 2020.
91. ^ "Your AFL club's most famous supporters, from Barack Obama to Cam Newton". Fox Sports. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
92. ^ Kelly, Broden & Zahariou, Thomas (14 March 2023). "The Footy with Broden Kelly". LiSTNR (Podcast). Grouse House. Retrieved 13 July 2023.`{{cite podcast}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
93. ^ "Instagram".

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gold Coast Football Club.

* Official website
* 2010 VFL results page at goldcoastfc.com.au
* Gold Coast Suns results \- Latest scores for Gold Coast Suns Football Club

* v
* t
* e

Gold Coast Suns

* History
* Records
* Current squad
* Players
* Captains
* Coaches
* Awards
* Club Champion
* Leading goalkickers

* AFL coach: Damien Hardwick
* AFL co-captains: Touk Miller and Jarrod Witts

* AFLW coach: Cameron Joyce
* AFLW captain: Tara Bohanna

AFL home grounds|

* Carrara Stadium (2011–)

AFLW home grounds|

* Carrara Stadium (2020–)
* Fankhauser Reserve (2020–)
* Great Barrier Reef Arena (2020–)

Seasons (16)|

| TAC (1)|

* 2009

|

VFL (1)|

* 2010

AFL (14)|

* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Reserves seasons|

| NEAFL (9)|

* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020

|

VFL (4)|

* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Related articles|

* Australian rules football in Queensland
* Gold Coast sports curse
* History of Australian rules football on the Gold Coast
* Marcus Ashcroft Medal
* QClash

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

Australian Football League

Clubs|

| Current|

* Adelaide
* Brisbane Lions
* Carlton
* Collingwood
* Essendon
* Fremantle
* Geelong
* Gold Coast
* Greater Western Sydney
* Hawthorn
* Melbourne
* North Melbourne
* Port Adelaide
* Richmond
* St Kilda
* Sydney
* West Coast
* Western Bulldogs

|

Future|

* Tasmania

Former|

* Brisbane Bears
* Fitzroy
* University

Seasons|

* 1897
* 1898
* 1899
* 1900
* 1901
* 1902
* 1903
* 1904
* 1905
* 1906
* 1907
* 1908
* 1909
* 1910
* 1911
* 1912
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1916
* 1917
* 1918
* 1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Grand finals|

* 1897
* 1898
* 1899
* 1900
* 1901
* 1902
* 1903
* 1904
* 1905
* 1906
* 1907
* 1908
* 1909
* 1910
* 1911
* 1912
* 1913
* 1914
* 1915
* 1916
* 1917
* 1918
* 1919
* 1920
* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941
* 1942
* 1943
* 1944
* 1945
* 1946
* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023

Venues|

* Adelaide Oval
* Bellerive Oval
* Carrara Stadium
* Cazaly's Stadium
* Docklands Stadium
* Eureka Stadium
* The Gabba
* Kardinia Park
* Manuka Oval
* Marrara Oval
* Melbourne Cricket Ground
* Perth Stadium
* Stadium Australia
* Sydney Cricket Ground
* Sydney Showground Stadium
* Traeger Park
* York Park

Awards|

* AFL Coaches Association awards
* AFL Players Association awards
* Leigh Matthews Trophy
* AFL Rising Star
* All-Australian team
* Brownlow Medal (winners)
* Coleman Medal
* Goal of the Year
* Mark of the Year
* Norm Smith Medal

Major recurring
events|

* AFL Draft
* AFL finals series
* AFL Futures match
* AFL Grand Final
* Anzac Day Eve match
* Anzac Day match
* Dreamtime at the 'G
* Easter Monday clash
* E. J. Whitten Legends Game
* Gather Round
* King's Birthday match
* Len Hall Tribute game
* Opening game
* QClash
* Showdown
* Sydney Derby
* Western Derby

Second-tier and
junior competitions|

| Current|

* AFL National Championships
* Talent League
* South Australian National Football League
* Victorian Football League
* West Australian Football League

|

Former|

* AFL reserves
* AFL under-19s
* North East Australian Football League

Related articles|

* AFL Coaches Association
* AFL Commission
* AFL Players Association
* AFL Record
* AFL Umpires Association
* AFL Women's
* AFLX
* Carlton salary cap breach
* Current coaches
* Essendon supplements saga
* Games records
* 200-game players for one club
* Goalkicking records
* Grand final location debate
* Grand Final pre-match performances
* History
* Individual match awards
* International Rules Series
* McClelland Trophy
* Melbourne tanking scandal
* Minor premiers
* Premiers
* Premiership captains/coaches
* Premiership/grand final statistics
* Proposed clubs
* Tasmanian AFL bid
* Records
* Reserves affiliations
* Rivalries
* Television shows
* Video games
* Wooden spoons

Known as the Victorian Football League from 1897–1989; no grand finals were held in 1897 and 1924

* v
* t
* e

AFL Women's

Clubs|

| Current|

* Adelaide
* Brisbane
* Carlton
* Collingwood
* Essendon
* Fremantle
* Geelong
* Gold Coast
* Greater Western Sydney
* Hawthorn
* Melbourne
* North Melbourne
* Port Adelaide
* Richmond
* St Kilda
* Sydney
* West Coast
* Western Bulldogs

|

Future|

* Tasmania

Seasons|

* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* S6
* S7
* 2023
* 2024

Grand finals|

* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* S6
* S7
* 2023

Venues|

* Alberton Oval
* Arden Street Oval
* Bellerive Oval
* Blacktown ISP Oval
* Carrara Stadium
* Casey Fields
* Cazalys Stadium
* Eureka Stadium
* Frankston Park
* Fremantle Oval
* Great Barrier Reef Arena
* Henson Park
* Kardinia Park
* Lathlain Park
* Manuka Oval
* Moorabbin Oval
* North Sydney Oval
* Norwood Oval
* Olympic Park Oval
* Princes Park
* Reid Oval
* Springfield Central Stadium
* Unley Oval
* Victoria Park
* Whitten Oval
* Windy Hill
* York Park

Awards|

* AFL Women's All-Australian team
* AFL Women's best and fairest
* winners
* AFL Women's leading goalkicker
* AFL Women's Rising Star

Major recurring events|

* AFL Women's Grand Final

Second-tier and junior
competitions|

* AFL Women's Under-18 Championships
* Talent League Girls
* QAFL Women's
* SANFL Women's League
* VFL Women's
* WAFL Women's

Related articles|

* AFL Women's National Championship
* Australian Football League
* Current coaches
* Current team squads
* Exhibition games (2013–2016)
* Games records
* 50-game players for one club
* Goalkicking records
* Hampson–Hardeman Cup
* McClelland Trophy
* Minor premiers
* Premiers
* Premiership captains and coaches
* Records
* Wooden spoons

No premiership was awarded in 2020

* v
* t
* e

North East Australian Football League

Clubs|

| Final season|

* Aspley
* Brisbane reserves
* Canberra
* Gold Coast reserves
* Greater Western Sydney reserves
* Redland
* Southport
* Sydney reserves
* Sydney University

|

Former|

* Ainslie
* Belconnen
* Broadbeach
* Greater Western Sydney
* Labrador
* Morningside
* Mount Gravatt
* NT Thunder
* Queanbeyan
* Sydney Hills
* Tuggeranong

Seasons|

* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020

Main grounds|

* Blacktown International Sportspark
* Fankhauser Reserve
* Graham Road Oval
* Henson Park
* Metricon Stadium
* South Pine Sports Complex
* SCG
* Sydney Showground Stadium
* Manuka Oval
* Tidbold Park

Former grounds|

* Alan Ray Oval
* Bruce Purser Reserve
* Cazalys Stadium
* Cooke-Murphy Oval
* Dairy Farmers Park
* Dittmer Park
* Drummoyne Oval
* Esplen Oval
* Football Park
* The Gabba
* Giffin Park
* Greenway Oval
* Gungahlin Enclosed Oval
* Kombumerri Park
* Kippax Oval
* Leyshon Park
* Macpherson Park
* Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex
* Newcastle Oval
* North Dalton Park
* Northline Oval
* Ray Mitchell Oval
* Robertson Oval
* Salk Oval
* Sherwood Oval
* Sir Bruce Small Park
* Stadium Australia
* TIO Stadium
* Tony Ireland Stadium
* Tramway Oval
* University Oval

Related articles|

List of records

* v
* t
* e

Victorian Football League

Clubs|

| Current|

* Box Hill
* Brisbane Lions reserves
* Casey
* Carlton reserves
* Coburg
* Collingwood reserves
* Essendon reserves
* Footscray reserves
* Frankston
* Geelong reserves
* Gold Coast reserves
* Greater Western Sydney reserves
* North Melbourne reserves
* Northern Bullants
* Port Melbourne
* Richmond reserves
* Sandringham
* Southport
* Sydney reserves
* Werribee
* Williamstown

|

Future|

* Tasmania

Former|

* Albert Park
* Aspley
* Ballarat
* Ballarat Imperial
* Berwick
* Bendigo
* Brighton
* Brighton-Caulfield
* Brunswick
* Camberwell
* Carlton
* Caulfield
* Collingwood
* Dandenong
* East Melbourne
* Essendon
* Essendon A
* Fitzroy
* Footscray
* Geelong
* Geelong A
* Geelong West
* Gold Coast
* Hawthorn
* Hotham/North Melbourne
* Kilsyth
* Melbourne
* Melbourne City
* Moorabbin (1951–1963)
* Moorabbin (1983–1987)
* Mordialloc
* Murray Kangaroos
* North Ballarat
* Northcote
* Oakleigh
* Prahran
* Richmond
* St Kilda
* St Kilda reserves
* South Ballarat
* South Melbourne
* South Williamstown
* Sunshine
* Tasmania
* Traralgon
* University
* Waverley
* West Melbourne
* Yarraville

Venues|

* Arden Street Oval
* Blacktown ISP Oval
* Box Hill City Oval
* Carrara Stadium
* Casey Fields
* Chirnside Park
* Coburg City Oval
* Fankhauser Reserve
* Frankston Park
* Kardinia Park
* Melbourne Cricket Ground
* Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex
* North Port Oval
* Olympic Park Oval
* Preston City Oval
* Princes Park
* Punt Road Oval
* Sydney Cricket Ground
* Sydney Showground Stadium
* The Hangar
* Tramway Oval
* Trevor Barker Beach Oval
* Victoria Park
* Whitten Oval
* Williamstown Cricket Ground
* Windy Hill

Awards|

* Fothergill–Round–Mitchell Medal
* J. J. Liston Trophy
* J. Field Medal
* Jim 'Frosty' Miller Medal
* Norm Goss Memorial Medal

Former grades|

* Development League
* Under-19s

Related articles|

* AFL Victoria
* Battle of Bell Street
* History (1859–1900)
* Minor Premiers
* Premiers
* Records
* Reserves affiliations
* Williamstown vs Geelong West (1983 thirds season)
* Talent League
* VFL Women's
* Vicki Cleary Day
* Victorian Junior Football Association

Known as the Victorian Football Association (VFA) from 1877–1996

* v
* t
* e

Talent League Boys and Talent League Girls

Clubs|

| Full-time|

* Bendigo Pioneers
* Calder Cannons
* Dandenong Stingrays
* Eastern Ranges
* Geelong Falcons
* Gippsland Power
* Greater Western Victoria Rebels
* Murray Bushrangers
* Northern Knights
* Oakleigh Chargers
* Sandringham Dragons
* Tasmania Devils
* Western Jets

|

Academies|

* Brisbane Lions
* Gold Coast
* Greater Western Sydney
* Northern Territory
* Sydney

Former|

* Gold Coast (seniors)
* Greater Western Sydney (seniors)
* NSW/ACT Rams
* Queensland Scorpions
* Tassie Mariners

Boys seasons|

* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Girls seasons|

* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Awards|

* Morrish Medal

Related|

* AFL under-19s
* VFA under-19s

* v
* t
* e

Australian rules football in Queensland

Representative side|

* Queensland

Governing body|

* AFL Queensland

Professional clubs|

* Brisbane Lions
* Gold Coast Suns

Statewide leagues|

* Queensland Australian Football League

Metropolitan leagues|

* Queensland Football Association

Regional leagues|

* Cairns
* Capricornia
* Darling Downs
* Mackay
* Mount Isa
* Townsville
* Wide Bay

Women's leagues|

* Queensland Women's

Former leagues|

* League Championship Cup (2011-2014)
* Bundaberg (1972–86)
* Central Highlands (1983–97)
* Gold Coast (1961–96)
* Maryborough (1981–83)
* Sunshine Coast (1970–92)
* Wide Bay (1985–86)

Principal venues|

* The Gabba
* Carrara Stadium
* Cazalys Stadium

Culture|

* QClash
* Broadbeach vs Southport

QAFL teams|

* Broadbeach
* Labrador
* Morningside
* Mount Gravatt
* Palm Beach Currumbin
* Sandgate
* Surfers Paradise
* UQ Red Lions
* Western Magpies
* Wilston Grange

Teams in the VFL|

* Brisbane Lions
* Gold Coast
* Southport

Defunct QAFL teams|

* City
* Coorparoo
* Kedron Grange
* Locomotives
* Maroochy Northshore
* South Brisbane
* Sunshine Coast
* Valley

Related articles|

* 2004 AFL Cairns Grand Final
* List of Australian rules football clubs in Queensland

* v
* t
* e

Sporting teams based on the Gold Coast

Australian rules football|

* AFL: Gold Coast Suns
* AFLW: Gold Coast Suns

Bowls|

* BPL: Gold Coast Hawks

Motorsport|

* Supercars:
* Dick Johnson Racing
* Matt Stone Racing

Rugby league|

* NRL: Gold Coast Titans
* NRLW: Gold Coast Titans

Main Articles: Sport on the Gold Coast and Sport in Queensland
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