There’s plenty to play for at this Saturday’s GC SUNS intra-club game, the boys’ final hit out before they tackle the competition’s big guns in the NAB Cup.

The game, due to start at 10am at the club’s training field at Carrara, may well be the last chance to see the boys in action locally for a while, so make sure you’re don’t miss the chance for a final peek!

Fans who attend will be able to get an autograph from their favourite player afterwards. Merchandise will be available from the GC SUNS merchandise van.

Then on Saturday 19 February, just 8 days from now the Gold Coast SUNS will travel south to Blacktown Oval in Sydney to fine tune their pre-season preparations with a debut NAB Cup outing against the Sydney Swans and GWS.

The NAB Cup is taking on a new look this season.

In addition to several rule changes designed to reward attacking play and the trial introduction of a video umpire, the competition’s first round will see three clubs compete against each other at the same ground in a series of shortened alternating fixtures.

Although the NAB Cup is very much AFL’s secondary competition, there’s still lots to play for. With the team for the club’s AFL Premiership debut against Carlton still very much up in the air, you can bet your bottom dollar there’ll be plenty of young GC SUNS putting the foot to the floor.

According to GC SUNS GM – Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft, the GC SUNS have put in an outstanding preseason.

“Understandably, there’s been a real sense of anticipation around the place, and the desire for these blokes to give themselves every chance of being as well prepared as they can be has kept the standard of their effort high. Having the likes of Ablett, Brown and Rischitelli in the mix has really pushed the younger guys, too.”

Ashcroft’s GC SUNS pre-season form guide:
 

STANDOUTS: David Swallow, Brandon Matera, Dion Prestia, Michael Rischitelli
IMPROVERS: Karmichael Hunt, Zac Smith, Harley Bennell
SURPRISE PACKETS: Tom Lynch, Jeremy Taylor, Joel Wilkinson