After 15 long weeks of training under coach Guy McKenna, the Gold Coast Football Club had it first hit out on Friday night at Carrara.

Sporting new playing gear the team lined up for a trial game (two 20-minute halves) against the Southport Sharks at Gold Coast Stadium.

It was always going to be a tough struggle for the 17 and 18-year-olds against the reigning AFLQ Division 1 premiers. But they well and truly matched it with the bigger and older Sharks as they went down 6-3 (39) to 3-5 (17).

A good crowd watched as the GCFC took the game right up to the Sharks in the first half going into the break 2 points in front. The pace slowed in the second half with the experienced Southport side taking control of the game and running out winners.

GCFC will play a practice match at Carrara next Saturday against an Under 18 All Stars team before the first round of the TAC Cup against Eastern Ranges at Gold Coast Stadium on Saturday 4 April at 7pm.

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