Sharks in line to host Coast’s AFLW fixtures
THE Suns are considering the bold move of making the Southport Sharks the future home of their AFLW team.
Gold Coast will enter the AFLW for the first time in 2020 and will play four home games, including two at Metricon Stadium, one at the Sharks base at Fankhauser Reserve and one in Mackay.
But the Bulletin can reveal Suns hierarchy are weighing up a range of options that could result in Southport, Gold Coast’s biggest football club outside of the Suns, becoming the main ground used for the AFLW team beyond 2020.
It could also provide added incentive for Southport to enter into another sponsorship agreement with the Suns after their long-term deal ends next year.
NEAFL giants Southport have revised their sponsorship contract with the Suns for 2020 and are weighing up whether to extend it.
The preference of the Suns would be to play all their AFLW games at Metricon Stadium,
where their training and administration is based at Carrara, but the AFL want venues to appear as full as possible for broadcasters.
It has resulted in many AFLW teams playing in regional venues, something Brisbane will look to do with their Springfield base.
Southport would require additional infrastructure to be added to the venue for seating if it were to be used more frequently.
The other option Gold Coast are discussing is using the training oval at their Carrara home, something that would also require extra seating and infrastructure.