The Gold Coast SUNS will continue to strengthen their successful link into North Queensland with an historic first match in Townsville during the NAB Cup in 2013.
 

The GC SUNS will take on North Melbourne in Round 2 of the NAB Cup at Tony Ireland Stadium on Saturday, 2nd March.

GC SUNS CEO Travis Auld is delighted to have secured a NAB Cup match in North Queensland.

It’s fantastic news for Townsville and our supporters in North Queensland. We are starting to build some really strong support in this region.

“We are also very pleased to play an active role in the AFL’s strategy to grow the game throughout North Queensland, a region that loves its sport and has displayed a real passion for AFL.”

Townsville mayor Jenny Hill is delighted that Townsville was able to secure the fixture, and hopes it is the first of many going forward.

"This is an excellent announcement, and from my perspective we again get to show that Townsville is fast becoming a sporting capital," said Hill.

If we want this to become a regular event we must have a sell-out crowd and show the AFL that the game is popular in Townsville.

It continues a successful relationship with North Queensland, with the CG SUNS Academy established and delivering players such as Josh Hall, and the regular home and away season fixture between the GC SUNS and Richmond being played in Cairns.

AFL development manager in North Queensland Craig Starcevich believes the fixture in Townsville would demonstrate just how much of a foothold AFL had in the area.

"AFL is bigger in Townsville than a lot of people might think," he said.

"There's a fairly big AFL community in Townsville and it will be good to see those people connect and watch a live AFL game right here at Tony Ireland Stadium.

A lot of people who work in Townsville - such as in the army or at university - come from interstate and love the game.

It promises to be an entertaining clash, with the GC SUNS narrowly going down to North Melbourne by seven points in their most recent meeting at Metricon Stadium. North Melbourne went on to play in the finals in 2012.

Details about the match, including ticket sales, are expected to be released next month.