SUNS TO LIGHT UP THURSDAY NIGHT
GOLD Coast will play the first stand-alone game of its 10season history on Thursday night when it hosts the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium.
And the Suns are excited. In their 205 AFL games they have never before played on a Thursday night or Friday night.
Football manager Jon Haines said the circumstances of the season made it a little different to most years, but it was a great achievement for the club and its fans.
“Historically the Thursday and Friday night stand-alone fixtures have been a reward for effort and reward for performances, but we also acknowledge this is an unusual year,” Haines said.
“They’re looking to compress the fixture … we’re respectful of the opportunity, we’re grateful for it and we can’t wait for it.”
Whatever the overriding reasons, the Suns-Bulldogs match-up is worthy of a primetime slot.
Both teams are in the top eight with 4-3 records, both fresh off exciting wins and both rank in the top seven for scoring.
“I think that term exciting has been thrown around a bit,” Haines said.
“We certainly feel like we’ve got some exciting players and play a brand of football that our fans will be excited about.”
Izak Rankine has played only two games but already appears made for the spotlight, while midfielder Lachie Weller and second-year forward Ben King are also turning heads.
Gold Coast is coming off the first five-day break in its history – something it might get more practice at in the near future – and has adjusted training accordingly.
It will run its main session 48 hours before bounce-down and also take the unusual step of a light training run in groups on match-day morning.
This is something the Suns have done for away matches, but never at home.