Courtesy of the AFL

EXPANSION club Gold Coast will play its first home and away match against Carlton at the Gabba in round two.

The SUNS, who have a bye in round one, will tackle the Blues in a night game on Saturday, April 2.

The clash will be telecast by Channel 10.

"We're delighted that we've got Carlton as our first ever match in the AFL competition," Gold Coast chief executive Travis Auld told afl.com.au.

"Our request for our first match was always around playing a big, crowd-drawing Melbourne club and Carlton is certainly one of those."

Auld and his staff are already devising a plan to ensure the SUNS' supporters can easily get to the Gabba from the Gold Coast when the big game rolls around.

"But we've got no doubt that people will be really keen to get in behind us," Auld said.

"It's not often people get the chance to see the best players in the competition go head-to-head in Chris Judd and Gary Ablett."

It had previously been announced that the SUNS would play their opening match against Richmond, but since then the Tigers have signed a deal to play a home game against Gold Coast in Cairns.

"We didn’t think it would work for Richmond to play the Gold Coast twice in Queensland, especially as they will also play Brisbane at the Gabba,” said AFL chief operating officer, Gillon McLachlan.

“So we have now scheduled Carlton and think this is a game that will attract enormous interest given Carlton’s huge following and also the fact it is Gold Coast’s first game.”

In all, Gold Coast will play three home matches at the Gabba in 2011, one of which will be against the Brisbane Lions.

The full AFL home and away fixture will be released this Friday.