When Hugh Greenwood was a little boy, he loved the smell of sunscreen and salt air on the Gold Coast.

On school holidays, the Tassie youngster spent quality time with his grandparents in Currumbin, surfed his favourite Coast breaks, watched the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba and enjoyed sunsets at Burleigh Point.

After a few adventures around the world, the now 28-year-old SUNS midfielder calls the Gold Coast home.

Greenwood told SUNS Media it was a no-brainer to put roots down in Palm Beach with his partner Kjiersten and six-month old baby boy Titus Jay earlier this year.

“I have lived in some cool places, like New Mexico, but the Goldie is pretty hard to top,” he said.

“It’s the best place to raise kids. Titus was born in February and he’s already a water baby.”

The US college basketballer-turned-footballer, made the move from the Adelaide Crows to the SUNS in the 2019 Trade Period.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the trio have been quietly isolating at home and enjoying peaceful beach walks since arriving on the Gold Coast in November.

 “We haven’t been able to do much but it’s been a great opportunity to explore our beautiful beaches and get back to surfing,” Greenwood said.

“We bought our resident annual theme park passes when we arrived but we haven’t used them yet.

“We are keen to check out SeaWorld and also go and see a few crocs at Australia Zoo.”

Greenwood said it was an opportunity of a lifetime to have 70 out of the 153 home and away games in Queensland this season, as well as the historic Grand Final confirmed to take place at the Gabba for the first time ever.

“Going down to Tallebudgera Creek and seeing AFL footy players rolling around, you would think you were in Melbourne,” he laughed. 

“It will be interesting to see if some of the interstate players got a taste for the lifestyle up here and want to transfer to the SUNS.

“The Gold Coast sells itself with the weather, beaches, amusement parks and shopping.

“I don’t think it will take too much convincing for them to come.”

Greenwood is preparing to take on the Brisbane Lions in his first QClash on Wednesday September 9.

He said he was excited to compete against friends Charlie Cameron and Mitch Robinson at the Gabba.

“In QClash, anything can happen and it should be a good showdown,” he said.

“The Lions are really good but we are playing some good footy, so it should be interesting. It will get a bit heated.”