As the curtain closes on a massive year for the Gold Coast SUNS, SUNS Media have taken a look back at the year that was to re-live some of the best moments from 2024.
Record-breaking Academy cohort take the field together for the first time
The Round 6 clash against the Sydney Swans at the SCG broke new ground for the SUNS with all four of the club’s prized first-round selections, all Streetsmarts SUNS Academy graduates, taking the field for the first time.
Jake Rogers got his first taste of AFL football with seven disposals on debut, and he was joined by Palm Beach Currumbin trio and fellow first-year players Jed Walter, Ethan Read and Will Graham on an AFL field for the first time.
Trio of Rising Star nominee
Just a week after making his debut, Rogers joined the illustrious list of SUNS players to earn Rising Star nominations with a 22-disposal outing against the Eagles in Round 7.
He would be one of three Streetsmarts SUNS Academy graduates to earn nominations with Bodhi Uwland (19 disposals, 13 marks) getting the nod against Essendon in Round 12 before Will Graham did likewise with 22 disposals and a goal in the Round 16 victory over Collingwood.
DarWWWWWWin
The SUNS’ home away from home put on another spectacular week with TIO Stadium fast becoming a feared venue for opposition sides. A 68-point win against North Melbourne was followed just days later against eventual preliminary finalists Geelong with records tumbling as the SUNS opened Sir Doug Nicholls Round in primetime in the Top End.
Gold Coast’s 26.8 (164) set the new benchmark as the club’s biggest score in its history and the largest score at TIO Stadium. The 93-point second half was the club’s largest, six players posted career-best for possessions while Darwin locals Ben Long, Lloyd Johnston and Joel Jeffrey put on a show in front of friends and family.
What can’t Mac do?
A moment that will go down in SUNS folklore as Mac Andrew ‘drove a dagger into Essendon hearts.’ Trailing by five points with seconds remaining on the clock in the Round 22 clash at Marvel Stadium, Andrew wrapped his mitts around a mongrel kick inside forward 50 following a crucial one-on-one win on the wing from Sam Collins before cooly securing the SUNS’ first away win of the season after full-time.
Sold up sign goes up at People First Stadium
The Gold Coast faithful showed out in force in 2024, making People First Stadium one of the trickiest venues to visit in the AFL. With just the one sell-out in the 10 seasons prior, the sold-out signs went up on four separate occasions in 2024 with three of the venue’s six biggest crowds set throughout 2024.
A pair of dual Club Champions crowned
Sam Collins and Charlie Rowbottom both made history in 2024, each securing their respective second Club Champion awards. Collins joins Gary Ablett Jnr, Tom Lynch and Touk Miller as the only players to have won the award on multiple occasions while Rowbottom broke new ground as the club’s inaugural two-time AFLW Club Champion a fortnight before also earning All-Australian status for a second time.
Fearless
2025 will begin with a strong sign of intent from the Gold Coast SUNS, at the beginning of a fearless new era. The Gold Coast became a sea of red as the club launched a new platform in November to tackle its mission of winning AFL and AFLW premierships. New colours, new club logo and a brand new guernsey all await for the first time in 2025
