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Edmund: Why the Suns can win the 2026 flag
Jaiden Sciberras • January 14th, 2026 3:00 pm
Just how far can the Gold Coast Suns go in 2026?
2025 was – without exaggeration – the greatest season in the club’s short history. Finishing in the top eight for the first time since joining the competition in 2011, the Suns not only featured in September, but walked away with their first ever finals win.
Travelling West, Gold Coast took down Fremantle by a single point, as club legend David Swallow nudged them over the line with a behind in the dying stages at Optus Stadium.
While coach Damien Hardwick wasn’t able to inspire his side beyond the eventual premiers Brisbane in the semi-finals, Gold Coast displayed more than enough to suggest that they will contend deep into September for a little while to come.
And over the off-season, the Suns only got stronger, recruiting superstar Demon Christian Petracca and former No.1 pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan to reinforce what already was a stacked list ahead of 2026.
With Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell, superstars Noah Anderson and Ben King and a glut of young talent developing nicely, do the Suns already have the pieces required to challenge for the premiership?
SEN’s Sam Edmund believes just that, as he and Cam Mooney debated the Suns' potential over the upcoming season.
“I’ve got them winning it,” Edmund told SEN Breakfast.
“I reckon this is it. I reckon the Suns are going to have a red-hot crack at it this year and go super deep.”
Mooney: “How well Petracca fits in and what he does is going to be a big one.”
Edmund: “Very adaptable player though, isn’t he? He can play in midfield, he can play forward, he can play just about any position on the ground.”
Mooney: “I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m just not ready to go there yet.”
Edmund: “If (Ethan) Read and (Jed) Walter can make a profound development between the two of them, partner with Ben King…
“(Jarrod) Witts is going nowhere and I think he’s one of the best rucks in the comp. The midfield is now deeper, Bailey Humphrey stays…
“I just think with a bit of luck with injury…”
Mooney: “Two of the better running half backs (in John Noble and Daniel Rioli).”
Edmund: “Indeed. With that home ground advantage, which has become a thing with the heat up there, and another year under Dimma, I don’t know!
“I just think they’re going to give it a real nudge. And they should be giving it a real nudge too.”
The Suns are set to face cross-town rivals Brisbane in their first pre-season hit out on February 26.
