Who are the Gold Coast Suns?
The Gold Coast Suns are an AFL club based on the Gold Coast in Queensland. They joined the competition in 2011, becoming the second Queensland team in the AFL after the Brisbane Lions.
The AFL created the Suns to expand the game in Queensland's fast-growing Gold Coast region. The club's first captain was Gary Ablett Jr, a two-time Brownlow Medal winner who moved from Geelong.
Ablett won his second Brownlow Medal in 2013 while playing for the Suns, the club's first Brownlow winner. However, the team struggled to win consistently in its early years.
Home ground and development
The Suns play home games at Carrara Stadium, known commercially as People First Stadium. The ground hosted the athletics and ceremonies of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The club has focused on developing local talent through its academy. Players such as Touk Miller, Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell and Ben King have become important to the team.
The Suns also play some home games in Darwin, helping the club build support in the Northern Territory. Their colors are red, gold and blue, and the club has an AFL Women's team.
Did You Know?
Matches between the Suns and the Brisbane Lions are known as the QClash.