Gold Coast Football Club

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This article is about the Australian rules football team. For the baseball team, see Gold Coast Suns (baseball). For the soccer team, see Gold Coast United FC.
Gold Coast
GoldCoastSunsLogo (2).jpg
Names
Full name Gold Coast Football Club
Nickname(s) Suns
2012 season
Premiership 17th
Leading goalkicker Gary Ablett (26 goals)
Best and fairest Gary Ablett
Club details
Founded 2009
Colours      Red      Gold      Blue [1]
Competition Australian Football League
Chairman John Witheriff
Coach Guy McKenna
Captain(s) Gary Ablett, Jr.
Premierships 0 ()
Ground(s) Metricon Stadium[2] (capacity: 25,000)
Other information
Official website goldcoastfc.com.au
Guernsey: Gold coast bombrars.png
Current season: 2012

The Gold Coast Football Club, nicknamed The Suns, is an Australian rules football franchise based on the Gold Coast, which began playing in the Australian Football League (AFL) competition for the first time in 2011. The club played its first game as a part of the AFL in the pre-season NAB Cup competition in February 2011 before beginning the season proper in April 2011.

The club is the product of a sole consortium, formerly known as "GC17", tendering against established criteria for a licence to be the 17th club in the AFL competition. On 31 March 2009 the club was granted a provisional licence to join the AFL competition[3] and the AFL proposed that the new club would enter the national competition in the 2011 season.[4] The following year, during a press conference on 22 July, the club announced its new nickname, logo, club song and three new home, away and clash guernseys.

Contents

History [edit]

See also: History of Australian rules football on the Gold Coast

In January 2008, it was reported that the AFL officially registered the name Gold Coast Football Club Ltd with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).[5] The registration was effective from 24 December 2007.[6] The registration was of a public company limited by guarantees rather than by shares, the corporate personality common to 15 of 16 of the current AFL teams, the exception being the Fremantle Football Club.[7] In March 2008, the AFL won the support of the league's 16 club presidents to establish a side on the Gold Coast and an 18th side in Western Sydney.

Establishment [edit]

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou announced in early 2008 that the club could debut in the Queensland State League in 2009 as it recruits players and prepares for its debut season in the AFL. At one stage it was rumoured[who?] that Michael Voss would coach the Gold Coast team and that he had been offered a six-year contract.[8] However, these rumours were proved false when Voss was appointed coach of the Brisbane Lions from the beginning of the 2009 season.[9] Amongst the first players targeted by the Gold Coast were current St Kilda captain and Gold Coast junior Nick Riewoldt,[10] Hawthorn forward and 2008 Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin[11] and Adelaide forward Kurt Tippett.[12]

In June 2008 it was announced that the new team would play in the TAC Cup in 2009 [13] and then in the VFL in 2010.

Guy McKenna was appointed coach in August 2008.[14] In early 2009, the Host Plus superannuation fund was named as the club's major sponsor.[15] On 15 May 2009, it was announced that highly respected Essendon administrator Travis Auld would be the CEO of "GC17".[16][17] Former Brisbane Lions Shaun Hart and Gold Coaster Marcus Ashcroft were also appointed to the coaching panel. On 1 October 2009, the club announced it had signed Guy McKenna as head coach until 2012.[18]

In early 2009, the Queensland Government announced that it would contribute sufficient funds allowing the redevelopment of Gold Coast Stadium. The capacity of the new stadium will be 25,000 and is scheduled to be complete in May 2011. All home matches other than the games versus Brisbane Lions will be played at the new Gold Coast Stadium. They have also been confirmed to play their first AFL game at The Gabba in Round 2 against Carlton after a bye in Round 1.[19] Their first game at the new stadium will be against Geelong in round 10, 2011. Also amongst the blockbuster games at home for the Suns in 2011 are both 2010 AFL Grand Finalists Collingwood and St Kilda (both of whom the Suns will only play once) and Geelong.

2009: TAC Cup [edit]

The club's junior squad competed in the 2009 TAC Cup under 18 competition winning a number of games, eventually finishing in 5th place. They defeated the Northern Knights in the elimination final but then lost their semi final to the Geelong Falcons. These are the results and fixture for the 2009 season:[20][21]

Inaugural TAC Cup team [edit]

Inaugural GC17 team (Round 1, 2009 season)
B: Hamish Watts James Nelis Daniel Ramage
HB: Jake Crawford Matt Storey Jesse Haberfield
C: Joseph Daye Josh Thomas Todd Grayson
HF: Taylor Rolfe Matt Fowler Luke Shreeve
F: Rory Thompson Liam Rutledge Alik Magin
Foll: Zac Smith Marc Lock (c) Damian Steven
Int: Declan Bevan Brad Rees Mitch Harley
Jack Stanlake Nick Price Tyler Green
Coach: Guy McKenna[22]


2010: VFL [edit]

In November 2009 the team signed twelve 17 year olds around the country to compete in the VFL year through the under age access rules. These players included Luke Russell (Burnie), Maverick Weller (Burnie), Taylor Hine (Calder), Josh Toy (Calder), Matt Shaw (Dandenong), Piers Flanagan (Geelong), Hayden Jolly (Glenelg), Alex Keath (Murray), Jack Hutchins (Sandringham), Tom Nicholls (Sandringham), Brandon Matera (South Fremantle), Trent McKenzie (Western Jets).

The Gold Coast was also given permission (by the AFL) to play David Swallow in 2010, despite not being the correct age. The deal that was struck with the AFL stated that Swallow would still need to go through the 2010 AFL Draft to officially join the team, while the other under age recruits contracts would run through 2011.

These are the results and fixture for the 2010 season, in which the club competed in the VFL.[23]

Inaugural VFL team [edit]

Inaugural GCFC team (Round 1, 2010 season)
B: Matt Shaw Jack Hutchins Michael Gugliotta
HB: Taylor Hine Michael Coad Maverick Weller
C: Trent McKenzie Marc Lock (c) Luke Russell
HF: Alik Magin Charlie Dixon Brandon Matera
F: Liam Patrick Nathan Ablett Rex Liddy
Foll: Zac Smith Daniel Harris Sam Iles
Int: Danny Stanley Rory Thompson Hayden Jolly
David Swallow Luke Shreeve Joseph Daye
Coach: Guy McKenna


2011: AFL debut [edit]

Concessions on entry into the AFL [edit]

Year Draft Picks Senior List Size Salary Cap Allowance Zone Access Notes
2010 - - - 5 QLD
2 NT		 The club was allowed to sign up to twelve 17 year olds born between 1 January and 30 April 1992. The club also received the first 5 picks in the rookie draft.
2011 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 26, 43 48 $1,000,000 extra 5 QLD At the conclusion of the 2010 season the club was able to sign up to 16 current AFL players who were uncontracted for the 2011 season.The club was also allowed to sign up to 10 players who had previously elected for the national draft and weren't selected. The club also received the first 5 picks in the rookie draft.
2012 AFL Standard 46 $800,000 extra 5 QLD -
2013 AFL Standard 42 $600,000 extra AFL Standard -
2014 AFL Standard 40 $400,000 extra AFL Standard -
2015 AFL Standard AFL Standard AFL Standard AFL Standard All concessions removed and the club operates like every other team in the AFL.

Inaugural AFL team [edit]

Inaugural Gold Coast team (Round 2, 2011 season)
B: Seb Tape Nathan Bock Campbell Brown
HB: Jarrod Harbrow Karmichael Hunt Nathan Krakouer
C: Trent McKenzie Daniel Harris Michael Rischitelli
HF: Danny Stanley Charlie Dixon Alik Magin
F: Jared Brennan Zac Smith Brandon Matera
Foll: Josh Fraser David Swallow Gary Ablett (c)
Int: Marc Lock Harley Bennell Dion Prestia
Josh Toy
Coach: Guy McKenna[24]


2011 season summary [edit]

Main article: 2011 Gold Coast Football Club season

Gold Coast had a bye in Round 1, and played its first AFL game debuted in Round 2 on 2 April 2011 against Carlton at the Gabba in front of a crowd of 27,914. The first five goals were scored by Carlton, before Charlie Dixon scored the first ever goal for the Gold Coast Suns. Carlton went on to win by 119 points. Gold Cost won its first game in Round 5 on 23 April 2011, defeating Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium. Gold Coast trailed by 40 points late in the third quarter, before coming back to win by three points, after Port Adelaide's Justin Westhoff missed a set shot after the siren.[25] Michael Rischitelli was the best on ground.

Gold Coast won two more matches for the season, winning the inaugural QClash against Brisbane Lions in Round 7 by eight points, and defeating Richmond by 15 points in Round 17 in the first AFL match ever played at Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns. However, the Suns also suffered several more very heavy defeats during the year, including a 139-point loss to Essendon in Round 6 – in which Essendon scored a record 15.4 (94) in the first quarter – and a 150 point loss against Geelong in Round 20. The Suns went on to win the wooden spoon.

2012 season summary [edit]

Main article: 2012 Gold Coast Football Club season

Gold Coast endured a poor pre-season in 2012 which included a 13-point loss to fellow AFL newcomers Greater Western Sydney. Their solitary win in that time was a narrow win over Melbourne in the triangular round of the 2012 NAB Cup.

The home-and-away season did not begin well for the Suns either, losing their first fourteen matches in succession to be the only winless team after Round 15 of the 2012 AFL season. Among the losses included losses by more than ninety points to Collingwood and St Kilda (twice), seven-point losses to Fremantle and North Melbourne at home and a 27-point loss to the newest AFL franchise, Greater Western Sydney. Their fourteen losses to start the season was the worst by any team since Fremantle lost its first 17 matches of the 2001 season. Their horror start to the season ended in round 16 with a narrow 2 point win against Richmond. They had a lead of up to 36 points halfway through the second quarter, which then shrank to 24 points after 2 quick goals before half time from Richmond. Richmond then had a six to two goal quarter, snatching the lead back. The lead then went to 18 points Richmond's way before Gold Coast snatched it back to just 4. With 5 seconds left, a kick from the right forward pocket in Gold Coast's 50 was marked by Karmichael Hunt. After the siren sounded he kicked the goal to make Gold Coast 2 point winners.[26]

The Suns then won two more matches for the season, a 30-point win against Greater Western Sydney in Round 20 and a 12-point upset win over Carlton in Round 22, both at home. The team finished 17th at the end of the season, only above Greater Western Sydney on the AFL ladder.

Support [edit]

Membership base and sponsorship [edit]

The Gold Coast Suns played their first Australian Football League game in the 2011 AFL Premiership Season in Round 2 of Season 2011 in Brisbane at The Gabba, against high profile Victorian team Carlton. The Suns attracted their biggest ever home crowd at that game. The Suns achieved their first AFL win in Round 5 against the Port Adelaide Power. They also hosted the inaugural QClash at the same venue against rival side the Brisbane Lions in front of 25,504 fans. The Suns ended up winning the game. The Suns moved into their home stadium on the Gold Coast, Metricon Stadium in time for their Round 10 clash against the Geelong Cats. Despite just winning 3 games in their opening 15 matches and finishing in last place on the AFL ladder.

Metricon Stadium recorded its biggest ever figure when 23,302 people watched the Suns tackle defending premiers Collingwood in Round 18 of the 2011 AFL season.

Year Members Change from previous season Finishing position Average home crowd (excluding finals)[27] Major Sponsor
2011 14,064 — 17th (last) 19,169 HostPlus, Virgin Australia
2012 11,204 Decrease 2,855 17th 13,645 HostPlus, Virgin Australia
2013 12,1141 Increase 990 — 13,8321 HostPlus, Virgin Australia

1 as at 16 May 2013

Club symbols [edit]

Guernseys [edit]

The three types of guernseys are:

Gold Coast Suns Guernsey.png Gold Coast Suns Away Guernsey.png Gold Coast Suns Clash Guernsey 2013.png
Home Away Clash
  • Home guernsey (worn since 2011): Red and gold based guernsey with the club logo in the middle. HostPlus sponsor on front and Virgin Australia sponsor on back (home pants worn in home games and away pants worn in away games).
  • Away guernsey (Worn since 2011): Red based guernsey with a wave, coloured blue, gold and white. Virgin Australia sponsor on front and HostPlus sponsor on back (away pants worn).
  • Clash guernsey (Worn since 2013): White based guernsey with a wave, coloured blue and gold. Virgin Australia sponsor on front and HostPlus sponsor on back (away pants worn).

Mascot [edit]

The Suns' Mascot Manor representative and club mascot is Sunny Ray.

Song [edit]

The team song is Suns of the Gold Coast Sky.[28]

Administration [edit]

A three-man committee of former Brisbane Lions chairman Graham Downie, Southport Sharks director Alan Mackenzie and lawyer and community leader John Witheriff will establish the club's administration.[5] As part of the AFL bid criteria, the GC17 consortium required a commitment from 20,000 locals to become football club members, a $5 million net asset base and 111 sponsors (at least one major, 10 secondary level and 100 tertiary) by mid-October 2008.[29]

Recruitment [edit]

In the leadup to the 2009 AFL Draft, the AFL allowed the Gold Coast to recruit 12 players born between January and April 1992, with all other AFL clubs being restricted to players born in 1991 or earlier.

Karmichael Hunt, a former professional rugby league player with the Brisbane Broncos and rugby union side Biarritz Olympique in France's Top 14, was signed to swap codes to play for the Gold Coast from 2010.[30]

Gary Ablett, Jr., dual premiership player with Geelong and winner of the 2009 Brownlow Medal, signed a deal reportedly worth $9.6 million over five years to captain the Gold Coast during their starting years.[31]

Other significant signings to the current junior team that played in the VFL included Stanis Susuve (a member of Papua New Guinea's International Cup winning team) and Brandon Matera (whose father Wally Matera and uncles Peter and Phil all played senior AFL football with the West Coast Eagles).[32]

At the end of 2010 season, the club had been given the following concessions:[33]

  • The ability to sign one uncontracted player from each of the 16 AFL clubs
  • Zoned access to five Queensland players prior to the AFL draft
  • The first pick in every round plus additional first round picks at Numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 and 15 of the 2010 AFL Draft
  • The capacity to pre-list 10 players who had previously nominated for the AFL Draft, or were previously listed with an AFL club
  • The first five selections of the Rookie Draft
  • An expanded main list of 48 players (clubs are usually allowed 38)

Initial 2011 playing squad recruitment [edit]

Current squad [edit]

Gold Coast Football Club
Senior list Rookie List Coaching staff


2014 Pre-listed player

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain
  • (vc) Vice captain
  • Cruz Roja.svg Long-term injury list
  • Arrow-up.gif Upgraded rookie(s)
  • (ret) Retired

Updated: 31 October 2012
Source(s): Playing list, Coaching staff



Current Coaching staff [edit]

2013 [edit]

Reserves team [edit]

Main article: Australian Football League reserves affiliations

A reserves team compete in the Northern Conference of the North East Australian Football League and have done so since the inaugural 2011 NEAFL season. Despite large emphasis being put on youth players development in the seniors team, the reserves team have made the NEAFL finals series every season they have competed but are yet to make a Grand Final.

Honour board [edit]

Competition

     TAC Cup (2009)
     Victorian Football League (2010)
     Australian Football League (2011–)

Year Pos Coach Captain Club Champion Leading goalkicker Iron Man Award Community Award Most Professional Most Improved NEAFL Player of the Year
2009 5/13 Guy McKenna Marc Lock Marc Lock Matt Fowler (43) Todd Grayson – Zac Smith -
2010 10/14 Guy McKenna Marc Lock Sam Iles Charlie Dixon (22)
Brandon Matera (22)		 Daniel Harris – – – –
2011 17/17 Guy McKenna Gary Ablett, Jr. Gary Ablett, Jr. Danny Stanley (20) Michael Rischitelli Alik Magin Michael Rischitelli Karmichael Hunt Jacob Gillbee
2012 17/18 Guy McKenna Gary Ablett, Jr. Gary Ablett, Jr. Gary Ablett, Jr. (26) Kyal Horsley Jarrod Harbrow Kyal Horsley Harley Bennell Alik Magin

Club records [edit]

Main article: List of Gold Coast Football Club records

Club honours [edit]

TAC Cup

  • Finalists: 2009

AFL

  • Premierships (0):
    • Runners-Up (0):
  • Minor Premiership (0):
  • Finals Series Appearances (0):
  • Wooden Spoons (1): 2011

Match records [edit]

  • Longest winning streak: 2 Games (Round 7, 2013 - Round 8, 2013)
  • Longest losing streak: 21 - Round 18, 2011 – Round 15, 2012
  • Highest ladder position (end of round): 7th - Round 1, 2013
  • Highest ladder position (end of season): 17th of 18th, 2012 AFL Season
  • Lowest ladder position (end of season): 17th of 17th (Wooden Spoon), 2011 AFL Season

Individual awards [edit]

All-Australian team representatives [edit]

Leigh Matthews Trophy [edit]

Suns TV [edit]

Suns TV is a television program hosted by Jessica Skarratt that is carried by the Seven Network and is shown thirty minutes prior to Gold Coast Suns games in Queensland. The program features highlights as well as interviews with players and coaches in the lead up to the match being played that week.

See also [edit]

Portal icon Australia portal
Portal icon Queensland portal
Portal icon Australian rules football portal

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Club Name and Identity". Gold Coast SUNS. Retrieved 12 September 2010. 
  2. ^ Three Gold Coast home games were played at The Gabba during the 2011 season while Carrara Stadium was being redeveloped.
  3. ^ "Gold Coast gets AFL licence". www.abc.net.au. 31 March 2009. Retrieved 2 April 2009. 
  4. ^ Gleeson, M; Clubs fast-track new entrants, The Age. Retrieved 14 March 2008
  5. ^ a b Wilson, C; Silence from presidents means 18-team AFL, The Age. Retrieved 14 March 2008
  6. ^ "ASIC Free Company Name Search". ASIC. Retrieved 7 September 2008. 
  7. ^ "ASIC Free Company Name Search". ASIC. Retrieved 7 September 2008. 
  8. ^ Gold Coast to play in 2009
  9. ^ "Lions hand reins to Voss". Fox Sports (Australia). 2 September 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2008. 
  10. ^ Gold Coast to target Riewoldt
  11. ^ Buddy Franklin plays it cool on Gold Coast talk | thetelegraph.com.au
  12. ^ Tippett should be tip-top Coast AFL target AFL | goldcoast.com.au | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
  13. ^ TAC Cup to help blood new team; realfooty.com.au
  14. ^ Guy McKenna named Gold Coast AFL coach; Sydney Morning Herald
  15. ^ "Gold Coast FC.com.au". Gold Coast Football Club. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2009. 
  16. ^ "Bombers boss named Gold Coast CEO". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2009. 
  17. ^ "'Big challenges' face new Gold Coast FC boss". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 May 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2009. 
  18. ^ "Gold Coast names coach, denies Fev". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009. 
  19. ^ "Gold Coast First AFL game". AFL.com. 10 September 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2010. 
  20. ^ "Gold Coast Football Club – AFL – Results". Gold Coast FC.com.au. Retrieved 11 July 2009. 
  21. ^ "Gold Coast Football Club – AFL – TAC Cup Fixture". Gold Coast FC.com.au. Retrieved 11 July 2009. 
  22. ^ "Teen talent galore at historic debut". Gold Coast Bulletin. 4 April 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2009. 
  23. ^ "Gold Coast Football Club – 2010 Season Fixture". VFL.com.au. Retrieved 11 July 2009. 
  24. ^ "Suns unveil first team". AFL BigPond Network. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2011. 
  25. ^ "2011 AFL Season - 2011 AFL Season Port Adelaide vs. Gold Coast". ABC Radio Grandstand. Retrieved 23 April 2011. 
  26. ^ "Hunt goal clinches Suns' win over Tigers". 14 July 2012. 
  27. ^ Attendance Summary
  28. ^ "The Club". Gold Coast Football Club. 
  29. ^ Barrett, D (22 May 2008). Gold Coast positive it can snare 17th AFL licence; Herald Sun Retrieved on 5 September 2008
  30. ^ a b Karmichael Hunt deal salary cap free for Gold Coast FC
  31. ^ Walsh, Courtney (29 September 2010). "Ablett leaves Geelong for Gold Coast". The Australian. Retrieved 20 October 2010. 
  32. ^ a b "Eagles blood in new GCFC recruit". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2009. 
  33. ^ "Gold Coast's draft rules explained". AFL. Retrieved 9 September 2010. 
  34. ^ "GCFC Captain Locked In". Gold Coast FC. Retrieved 9 September 2010. 
  35. ^ "Gold Coast sign Liam Patrick, Liam Jurrah's cousin, ahead of rookie draft". Fox Sports. Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 9 September 2010. 
  36. ^ "Dockers' young guns sign with Gold Coast". ABC Sport. Retrieved 9 September 2010. 
  37. ^ a b c d Quayle, Emma (23 August 2009). "Gold Coast will have to wait for new Toy". Real Footy. Retrieved 2 September 2009. 
  38. ^ Holmesby, Luke. "SA's Jolly joins Gold Coast". AFL. Retrieved 9 September 2010. 
  39. ^ Jolly, Laura (19 October 2009). "Cannon Hine goes north to Gold Coast". Sunbury Leader. Retrieved 9 September 2010. 
  40. ^ Green, Bradley (23 November 2009). "Geelong Falcon hand-picked by Gold Coast AFL recruiters". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 9 September 2010. 
  41. ^ "West Australian Swallow joins Gold Coast Football Club". Gold Coast FC. 21 October 2009. Retrieved 9 September 2010. 
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Gold Coast SUNS outstanding results at the 2010 NAB Draft". Gold Coast FC. 18 November 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2010. 

External links [edit]

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