The 2020 NAB AFLW fixture was revealed today, with the Gold Coast SUNS set to play eight games in its inaugural season.
The club will have four home games; two at Metricon Stadium and one each at Southport Sharks and Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
Gold Coast’s Head of Women’s Football Fiona McLarty said the club couldn’t wait to kick off its 2020 campaign on Saturday February 8, against GWS at Blacktown International Sports Park.
“It’s a very exciting day and one the club has been waiting a long time for,” McLarty said.
“It’s great to have the draw in front of us and to know who and where we’ll be playing next year.
“The girls really have something to work towards having that game in mind against GWS at Blacktown in Round 1.”
Gold Coast fans will have their first opportunity to see their team live in action when the Richmond Tigers come to town for Round 2 on February 15 at Metricon Stadium.
“It’s fantastic for us to have the opportunity to play at our home ground at Metricon Stadium,” McLarty said.
“To play a team like Richmond – another new team to the competition with a large supporter base – it’s a great opportunity for everyone and we can’t wait to see the crowd get out and support us.”
In Round 3 the club will begin its AFLW rivalry with Brisbane in what will be a blockbuster double header for Gold Coast footy fans, with week one of the men’s Marsh Community Series also kicking off at Metricon Stadium.
The AFLW team will also play its first-ever Friday night fixture when the SUNS host Geelong in Mackay.
“It’s so important for us as a club to have a presence in North Queensland,” McLarty said.
“Our talent academies extent to the North Queensland region and we’ve seen with our women’s team we have a number of players that have come from North Queensland.
“The opportunity for those girls to play up there in front of their home crowds but also for the younger players in the pathway to see us play is especially important.”
Gold Coast’s squad of 30 players will begin preparations for the 2020 AFLW season when pre-season gets underway in mid-November.
2020 Gold Coast SUNS AFLW Fixture:
Round 1 - Greater Western Sydney v Gold Coast SUNS
Blacktown International Sportspark - Saturday Feb 8, 1:10pm
Round 2 – Gold Coast SUNS v Richmond
Metricon Stadium – Saturday Feb 15, 4:10pm
Round 3 – Gold Coast SUNS v Brisbane
Metricon Stadium – Saturday Feb 22, 4:10pm
Round 4 – North Melbourne v Gold Coast SUNS
Arden Street Oval – Saturday Feb 29, 5:10pm
Round 5 – Gold Coast SUNS v Geelong
Great Barrier Reef Arena – Friday Mar 6, 6:10pm
Round 6 – West Coast v Gold Coast SUNS
Mineral Resources Park - Sunday Mar 15, 2:10pm
Round 7 – Gold Coast SUNS v Adelaide
Fankhauser Reserve – Sunday Mar 22, 1:10pm
Round 8 – Melbourne v Gold Coast SUNS
Casey Fields – Sunday Mar 29, 4:10pm
*All times are local
