The Gold Coast SUNS has lodged its first team for the 2024 season, taking on Richmond at Heritage Bank Stadium in Opening Round this Saturday.
It will be a blockbuster start to the season under new Senior Coach Damien Hardwick, with a sell-out crowd expected to cheer on the SUNS against the Tigers.
Lively forward Malcolm Rosas Jnr has recovered from a quad injury to take his place in the team, named in the forward line on the field.
Levi Casboult has also been named in the forward line after coming on late in the AAMI Community Series match against GWS.
In the backline, Bodhi Uwland has been named as one of two Gold Coasters in the team, alongside Connor Budarick who has had a full pre-season since returning from an ACL injury last year.
Another Queenslander named in the side is fan-favourite Alex Sexton, who will line up at half-back after switching positions under Hardwick.
Vice-captain Sam Collins, Charlie Ballard and Wil Powell make up the rest of the defenders.
In the midfield it will be club captains Jarrod Witts and Touk Miller alongside Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell, with Brayden Fiorini and Brandon Ellis named on the wings.
The forward line consists of Ben Ainsworth, Bailey Humphrey, Tom Berry, Ben King, Rosas Jnr and Casboult.
In 2024, clubs will name five players on the interchange – with the substitute to come from that list of five and be confirmed one hour prior to bounce on matchday.
On the five-man interchange are Sam Flanders, Nick Holman, Darcy Macpherson, Jack Lukosius and David Swallow.
On the emergency list are Rory Atkins, Will Graham and Ned Moyle.
Limited tickets are still available for the match, with fans encouraged to jump online and purchase tickets to avoid missing out on Saturday.
The Gold Coast SUNS are also offering a One Sunny Day membership for $49 which includes a ticket to the match and a Dimma-inspired visor. Click here for more info.
The match gets underway at 3:20pm AEST and will be broadcast live on Fox Footy, Kayo and the Seven Network (check your local guide).
Make sure you get to Heritage Bank Stadium early to take advantage of the matchday experience, including a free visor giveaway inside Gates 1 & 3, as well as plaza activations and a match ball delivery at 2:50pm you will not want to miss.
Free public transport is included with all pre-purchased tickets from 4 hours pre to 4 hours post-game. This includes all Surfside Bus services, Queensland Rail City network trains, G:Link services and shuttles from Broadbeach South Event Bus Stop, Nerang Railway Station and Boowaggan Road Park'n'Ride.
Click here to view the full Game Day Guide.
