The North East Australian Football League today announced the 2019 season fixture, which sees seven home curtain raisers at Metricon Stadium headline the Gold Coast SUNS’ season.

Six of the seven will be played AFL-aligned teams, with the ‘2Clash’ against traditional rivals the Brisbane Lions scheduled for Saturday, April 27.

The curtain raisers give SUNS members and fans plenty of opportunities to watch the NEAFL team, but also provide benefits for the football program according to NEAFL Coach Nick Malceski.

“All the coaches and senior players get to watch the NEAFL team, so it’s a real bonus to get the home games prior to the AFL,” Malceski said.

Those clashes can take on more importance when playing against other AFL aligned teams.

“In the past we’ve seen that the NEAFL team set the tone for the AFL guys, so that’s what we’ll try and do this year as well.”

Gold Coast will need to wait until Round 11 to take on the reigning NEAFL Premiers.

The SUNS take on Southport Sharks, Patron Partner of the SUNS, at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday, June 15.

Gold Coast will have three scheduled byes throughout the season, falling in rounds seven, 12 and 18.

The SUNS’ 2019 campaign will kick off with an away clash against last season’s preliminary finalists Canberra Demons on Sunday, April 6.

Gold Coast SUNS 2019 NEAFL Fixture

Round

Date

Opponent

Venue

Home/Away

Local Time

1

Saturday, April 6

Canberra

Alan Ray Oval (Ainslie)

Away

12.00pm

2

Sunday, April 14

Sydney Swans

Metricon Stadium

Home

11.00am

3

Saturday, April 20

GWS Giants

BISP

Away

10.30am

4

Saturday, April 27

Brisbane Lions

Metricon Stadium

Home

10.05am

5

Saturday, May 4

NT Thunder

TIO Stadium

Away

6.30pm

6

Saturday, May 11

Aspley

Voxson Oval

Away

1.30pm

7

BYE

 

 

 

 

8

Saturday, May 25

Sydney Swans

Metricon Stadium

Home

11.30am

9

Saturday, June 1

GWS Giants

Sydney Showground

Away

10.05am

10

Saturday, June 8

Brisbane Lions

Metricon Stadium

Home

12.55pm

11

Saturday, June 15

Southport Sharks

Fankhauser Reserve

Away

1.30pm

12

BYE

 

 

 

 

13

Saturday, June 29

Sydney Swans

SCG

Away

12.55pm

14

Saturday, July 6

Redland

Metricon Stadium

Home

10.30am

15

Saturday, July 13

Sydney Uni

BISP

Away

12.00pm

16

Saturday, July 20

Brisbane Lions

Gabba

Away

3.45pm

17

Sunday, July 28

GWS Giants

Metricon Stadium

Home

1.00pm

18

BYE

 

 

 

 

19

Saturday, Aug 10

Brisbane Lions

Gabba

Away

12.55pm

20

Saturday, Aug 17

Sydney Swans

BISP

Away

10.30am

21

Saturday, Aug 24

GWS Giants

Metricon Stadium

Home

TBC