Gold Coast will play its 100th AFL match on Sunday, against the same club it faced in its inaugural match at the Gabba four years ago.
On April 2, 2011, the AFL's newly-formed 17th club took the field against Carlton and was demolished by 119 points.
Rookie coach Guy McKenna and captain Gary Ablett both looked as if they'd been hit by a truck in the post-match press conference.
Since that night, much water has passed under the bridge as the SUNS again prepare to take on the Blues at Etihad Stadium in another landmark encounter.
Gold Coast grew from humble beginnings following then AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou's announcement in 2008 it would become the competition's newest club in 2011.
The SUNS played in the TAC Cup in 2009, the VFL in 2010 and redeveloped the old Gold Coast Stadium at Carrara to what is now Metricon Stadium in preparation for their debut season.
They were granted a host of concessions to help establish their playing list, including selecting twelve 17-year-olds to play in the VFL year, and nine of the top-15 selections at the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
They signed rugby league star Karmichael Hunt in a huge coup for a sport fighting for every dollar, spectator and bit of media interest in south-east Queensland.
Then came the game's biggest fish, Gary Ablett, on a five-year deal in another massive boost to the fledgling club.
So much has happened in the past four years - AFL.com.au has taken a look back at the SUNS' journey to date.
The best of times
1. First ever win over Port Adelaide
April 23, 2011 will long live in the memory of Gold Coast players, staff and supporters. A late Luke Russell goal and Justin Westhoff miss after-the-siren helped the SUNS overturn a 40-point deficit and record their first ever victory.
2. Karmichael tames Tigers after-the-siren
Who could forget the heroics of Karmichael Hunt on that balmy July night in Cairns in 2012? The highly-publicized rugby league convert showed nerves of steel to convert a 30m set shot after the siren to give the SUNS a two-point win and end a 21-game losing streak in the process.
3. Gazza wins club's first Brownlow
He came to the Gold Coast as the game's best player and Gary Ablett continued to amaze, winning his second 'Charlie' – and first as a Sun – in 2013. His dramatic victory came after overtaking good friend Joel Selwood in the final round with three votes for his 33-disposal, four-goal game against GWS.
4. Heroic win over Collingwood
When Ablett was carried off just after half-time in round 16, 2014, not many gave the SUNS a chance of over-running Collingwood. But despite having no players on the bench in the final quarter, Gold Coast mustered the courage to record a heroic five-point win in front of a record 24,032 spectators at Metricon Stadium.
5. Jaeger proves the bomb
Just weeks after Ablett won his Brownlow, teenage sensation Jaeger O'Meara was crowned the NAB AFL Rising Star winner for 2013. The West Australian prodigy played every game in his first season, averaging 22 disposals and getting the nod over Adelaide's Brad Crouch.
Some records
Most games Jarrod Harbrow (87)
Leading goalkicker Tom Lynch (95)
Biggest win 83 points - round 23, 2013 v GWS
Biggest loss 150 points - round 20, 2011 v Geelong
Biggest crowd 49.069 v Adelaide, round 11, 2014
Biggest crowd at Metricon 24,032 v Collingwood, round 16, 2014
Season by season 2011, 17th, 3-19; 2012, 17th, 3-19; 2013, 14th, 8-14; 2014, 12th, 10-12.
Wooden spoons 2011
Best and fairest winners 2011 Gary Ablett; 2012 Gary Ablett; 2013 Gary Ablett; 2014 David Swallow
Top 10 games records
- 87 – Jarrod Harbrow
- 85 – Trent McKenzie
- 81 – Dion Prestia
- 80 – Danny Stanley
- 78 – Michael Rischitelli, Gary Ablett, Matt Shaw
- 77 – David Swallow
- 74 – Harley Bennell
- 69 – Tom Lynch
- 67 – Sam Day
- 63 – Brandon Matera
