After an historic 95-point thrashing of Essendon, the Gold Coast SUNS head to Perth to face the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium, in what will be the club’s maiden finals appearance.
After an historic 95-point thrashing of Essendon, the Gold Coast SUNS head to Perth to face the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium, in what will be the club’s maiden finals appearance.
The SUNS head into Saturday night’s blockbuster having won three of their last five games at the venue.
In an interview with SEN WA, SUNS midfield assistant coach Shaun Grigg spoke openly about the significance of the occasion for supporters, and the Gold Coast community.
He says that the support the club has been receiving has been awesome this year.
“It’s been fantastic, the support from the city of the Gold Coast has been unbelievable. The support that we’ve got from the community has been awesome, we can’t wait to get over there and get stuck in,” he said.
The win against Essendon sparked wild celebrations across the Gold Coast. Grigg says that the confirmation of a finals birth is a great achievement for the club.
Grigg believes that the opportunity to play at the Adelaide Oval a few weeks ago was as good as a final, and that the label of underdogs does not phase the group.
The SUNS have been in hot form this season finishing with a 15-9 home and away record, which included wins against Collingwood who were top of the ladder at the time, and last year’s premiers Brisbane.
Grigg says the travel factor won’t affect the players going into Saturday night.
SUNS veteran David Swallow will play in his first final, after being selected in coach Damien Hardwicks’s side. He is the only remaining inaugural team member currently playing at the club.
SUNS fans can catch the action from 7:35pm Queensland time. A dedicated fan sight will also be set up at HOTA ahead of the historic occasion.