Up there Cazaly in Suns game switch
NORTH Melbourne will open its 2018 season in Cairns with a clash against the Gold Coast Suns at Cazaly Stadium.
They will square off under lights with a 6.25pm AEST start on March 24, after the AFL dropped its first fixturing news for next season.
With Metricon Stadium unavailable due to the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, the match will be the first time the Suns have hosted a home game in Cairns, despite having played there seven times.
“The Suns are thrilled to be kicking off our 2018 season in Cairns against North Melbourne,” Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans said.
“A Round 1 game in Cairns presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase the region ahead of what is always a muchanticipated opening round.
“As a club, we have established significant support in Cairns and throughout North Queensland. We are committed to playing our role in developing our game throughout the region, which is also a key recruitment catchment for the Suns talent academy.”
AFL general manager clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld said the match was part of a deal that would also involve a Suns game in Townsville in either 2019 or 2020.
Richmond hosted matches at Cazaly Stadium between 2011 and 2013 before the Western Bulldogs hosted a home game in each year from 2014 to 2017.