Cairns on Suns menu in 2018

GOLD Coast will take an AFL premiership game to Cairns in 2018 as part of plans to temporarily rehome the Suns during the Commonwealth Games.

The Suns have signed a deal with the Queensland state government, the AFL and Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) to play a home game at Cairns’ Cazaly’s Stadium between April 4-15 next year while their home ground of Metricon Stadium is being used for the Games.

The club has also agreed to play a home game at Townsville’s Tony Ireland Stadium in either 2019 or 2020.

Metricon Stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies and athletics events and may not be available to the Suns until Round 11. It leaves the club needing to relocate up to four home games.

Gold Coast is also expected to play in China for a second year against Port Adelaide while the Suns are likely to use The Gabba in Brisbane for at least one game.

Darwin’s Tio Traeger Park and the new Perth Stadium are also considered options.

The Suns have already passed over control of Metricon Stadium and work has already begun on the surface, stadium infrastructure and surrounding practice fields to prepare it for the Games.

Gold Coast has played away games in Cairns since 2011, first against Richmond and most recently the Western Bulldogs.

Suns chairman Tony Cochrane said the club had invested significant resources into their northern Queensland academy zones.

“We know North Queensland fans are passionate about AFL, and with the support of both the AFL and Tourism and Events Queensland, we are thrilled they will see the team play first hand in a series of matches in the region,” Cochrane said.

“As a club we have established significant support in Cairns and Townsville and enjoy playing our role in developing Australian football throughout the region, which is also a key recruitment catchment for the Gold Coast Suns talent academy.

“In the past, through community camps, pre-season games and AFL premiership fixtures, the Gold Coast Suns has and will continue to support the growth of AFL in North Queensland.”

Major Events Minister Kate Jones predicted the games to produce sellout crowds.

“Bringing the Gold Coast Suns up north is a big win for Queensland and it will be great to see Townsville hosting a premiership AFL game for the first time,” Jones said.

“Cairns and Townsville have an extremely strong AFL fan base and these games will help the code expand its reach in Queensland and give lovers of Aussie rules the chance to experience live AFL action in north Queensland.”