North to be on show
The Far North will be on show on the opening weekend of the AFL season with the Gold Coast Suns and North Melbourne to do battle at Cazalys Stadium in Round 1 of season 2018. The annual match in Cairns has previously been held in the middle of the season but Cazalys Stadium will be front and centre as a season starter. North Melbourne, led by skipper Jack Ziebell (above), will get their first taste of Far North footy in 2018 with the Kangaroos to be the Suns’ opponents.
THE Far North will be on show on the opening weekend of the AFL season with the Gold Coast Suns and North Melbourne to do battle at Cazalys Stadium in Round 1 of 2018.
The annual match in Cairns has previously been held in the middle of the season but Cazalys Stadium will be front and centre as a season starter.
The youthful and talented North Melbourne, led by skipper Jack Ziebell, will get their first taste of Far North footy in 2018 with the Kangaroos to be the Suns’ opponents.
The Suns’ home ground of Metricon Stadium is unavailable due to the 2018 Commonwealth Games, opening the door for a Far North match.
The Suns have been the away team in the annual match since 2011 with Richmond hosting matches between 2011 and 2013 before the Western Bulldogs hosted a home game in each year from 2014 to 2017.
AFL general manager Clubs and Broadcasting, Travis Auld, believes Australian football is thriving in North Queensland.
“We’re pleased the passionate fans in the region will help us kick off the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season,” Auld said.
“North Queensland has produced current AFL players in Charlie Dixon, Jarrod Harbrow and Jack Bowes and the AFL hopes that bringing matches to the region will continue to inspire both female and male players.
“As in previous years, the AFL has worked closely with the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, Cairns Regional Council and AFL Cairns to secure the city the Premiership match and once again we thank them for their continued support.”
Suns chief executive Mark Evans said the club was looking forward to starting their 2018 season in the region of their talent academy.
“The Suns are thrilled to be kicking off our 2018 season in Cairns against North Melbourne. A round one game in Cairns presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase the region ahead of what is always a much-anticipated opening round,” Evans said.
“We have established significant support in Cairns and throughout North Queensland. We are committed to developing our game throughout the region, which is also a key recruitment catchment for the Suns Talent Academy.”