OUR RISING SUNS

TODAY’S Port Adelaide and Gold Coast Suns AFL clash in China marks a red-letter day for the sport in Far North Queensland.

A record four AFL Cairns products will run out on the AFL stage together, three being from the same junior club in Cairns Saints.

Imposing forward Charlie Dixon will be the lone Cairns junior for Port Adelaide while the Suns will boast Jack Bowes, dashing veteran Jarrod Harbrow and debutant Jacob Heron.

Heron is an elusive small forward who will bring defensive pressure and tackling to the Suns squad along with his ability to hit the scoreboard.

Both Suns academy graduates, Heron and Bowes, were regularly teammates during their teenage years.

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Jarrod Harbrow, Jack Bowes and Jacob Heron of the Gold Coast Suns cool down after the club’s open training session at Jiangwan Stadium in Shanghai. Picture: SEAN GARNSWORTHY/AFL MEDIA