DUAL CRACK AT FIRST WIN
THERE will be twice as much at stake for the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday when Metricon Stadium hosts an AFL and AFLW double-header.
The Suns fell just shy of overcoming AFL powerhouse West Coast in Round 1 and a Round 2 clash with North Melbourne looms as a measuring stick for a team hoping to remain in the finals race in 2021.
The Kangaroos have had their own struggles and a win over the Melbourne team will be considered a must if Gold Coast are to live up to expectations.
Meanwhile, the Suns AFLW team will have one last chance to avoid going into the offseason without a win when they play Geelong in the curtain-raiser.
Gold Coast and Geelong are the only clubs yet to record a victory this season.
FOOTBALL fans on the Gold Coast are in for a huge treat on Saturday as the Suns host a double header at Metricon Stadium for the first time in 2021.
The action starts from 4.10pm with the Suns AFLW side taking on Geelong in the team’s final match of the season.
It will be followed by the club’s first AFL home game when it hosts North Melbourne in Round 2 in what will be a red-hot chance for Gold Coast to claim its first victory of the season in front of home fans.
In the AFL, Ben Ainsworth has been brought in to replace the injured Matt Rowell, who hurt his PCL in Round 1 against West Coast.
Suns CEO Mark Evans said the double-header was the perfect Saturday night out for Gold Coast families and footy fans.
“We’re so excited to have both our AFL and AFLW teams on display alongside each other in a dedicated double-header for the first time this year,” Evans said.
“Both of our teams have been built off a high-energy game-style which is a great spectacle for members and fans at Metricon Stadium.
“We encourage everyone to get along and experience what a matchday is like at Metricon Stadium and support both our teams on Saturday night.”
Two Gold Coasters in action on Saturday night are Helensvale High School and Suns Academy graduates Connor Budarick and Dee Heslop.
Budarick, who has played 16 AFL games since arriving at the Suns at the end of 2019, said he couldn’t wait to play in front of a home crowd again after a COVID-impacted 2020 season.
“We love playing at Metricon Stadium, there’s no other experience like it when you run out to the cheers of your members and fans,” Budarick said.
“It’s such a great thing for football on the Gold Coast to be able to have both the AFL and AFLW teams in action and I’m sure it will be a great night for everyone who comes along.”
Heslop has played every match for the Suns AFLW team this season and said it was fantastic to see the club host a double-header to close out the women’s season, and launch the men’s.
“We’ve had great support from the Gold Coast community this year and it’s been such a thrill to finish our season at home,” Heslop said.”