Gold Coast timeline: The key events of the 15-year Suns

April 2, 2011: First game vs CarltonAfter nearly two years of waiting the Suns hit the playing field for the first time in the AFL competition. Despite the highly anticipated debut of the league’s newest expansion club, the side made up of mostly teenagers and proved no match for Carlton going down by 119 points.

April 23, 2011: First win vs Port AdelaideThe watershed moment for Guy McKenna’s men came in just their fourth game. After copping three beltings in their opening three games, the Suns broke through for their first win against Port Adelaide. A wayward kick after the siren from Justin Westhoff sealed the four points.

July 14, 2012: Win after the siren vs RichmondPressure was beginning to mount on the Suns after 21 straight losses across 2011 and 2012. In need of a victory and the side down by four points rugby league convert Karmichael Hunt marked with four seconds left. The 25-year-old kicked truly with celebrations boiling over after the siren.

September 23, 2013: Gary Ablett wins the Brownlow medalIn need of a big-name recruit to get the club up and running Gold Coast turned to Gary Ablett to be their man. In the club’s infancy the former Cat carried the club week in and week out. On Brownlow night he collected 28 votes and took Charlie home for the second time.

July 5, 2014: Win vs Collingwood, Ablett shoulder injuryIt looked like progress was being made in 2014 with the Suns sitting inside the top eight at Round 16. Their credentials went on the line against Collingwood with a blockbuster match in front of a sell-out crowd. The home side came out on top but a shoulder injury to Ablett soured the victory.

October 1, 2014: Guy McKenna sackedAlthough showing promising signs across 2014 the Suns limped across the line and slipped to 12th on the ladder after losing six of their last seven. The board had seen enough and decided to part ways with coach Guy McKenna with Rodney Eade named as his replacement.

October 26, 2016: Ablett requests trade back to GeelongAfter two disappointing seasons under Rodney Eade, the Captain was looking to jump ship. Ablett requested a trade back to Geelong for one last push at a third premiership. The club vehemently denied the reports of a trade request which were later proved to be correct.

August 7, 2017: Rodney Eade sacked, Stuart Dew takes overDespite successful stints at Sydney and the Bulldogs Rodney Eade could only manage two 15th placed finishes in 2015 and 2016. A 23-point loss to the Dockers was enough to spell the end for his tenure with Dean Solomon taking over to finish the year before Stuart Dew was given the full-time role.

October 18, 2017: Ablett traded to Geelong, Suns trade Pick 2 for Lachie WellerThe 2017 trade period was a turning point for the Suns. Gary Ablett was granted his wish and returned home to Geelong. At the same time Fremantle youngster Lachie Weller was looking to move back to Queensland. The AFL world was shocked when Gold Coast were happy to part with pick two despite the midfielder still being largely unproven.

October 16, 2018: Co-captains Tom Lynch and Steven May leave the clubFor most of 2018, it was widely assumed that Tom Lynch was on the move. The free agent was destined for Richmond which netted the club pick three. As trade period approached it looked like Steven May was heading to Melbourne in exchange for pick six. The club used their first three picks on Jack Lukosius, Izak Rankine and Ben King.

September 29, 2019: Gold Coast receives Pick 1 as compensation pick2019 was always going to be tough for the Suns. Gold Coast were only able to manage three wins for the year and won their second wooden spoon. In need of some desperate help the AFL granted them pick one as compensation. They would select school mates from Carey Grammar Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson.

July 9, 2022: Win after the siren vs RichmondSteady progress looked like it was being made again on the Gold Coast and the side was almost in touching distance of the top eight. Gold Coast looked dead and buried against Richmond before five final quarter goals breathed life into the match. Noah Anderson stepped up on the siren to boot the match winning goal and sealed a memorable victory.

July 11, 2023: Stewart Dew sacked2023 was a year of high expectation for the Suns. It looked it could be their time to break through however it was anything but. At Round 17 the Suns were languishing in 13th on the ladder with just seven wins for the year. Dew was given his marching orders with Steven King stepping in as his replacement.

August 20, 2023: Damien Hardwick signs as Gold Coast coachJust one month after Dew was sacked, football’s worst kept secret was revealed. After flying to the Amalfi Coast to meet the 3x premiership coach, Damien Hardwick was announced as Gold Coast’s fourth coach. In his first meeting with his players, he declared that 80% of the club’s first premiership team was sitting right in front of him.

August 10, 2024: Win after the siren vs EssendonDamien Hardwick’s first year at the Suns was an up and down one. The side recorded some good wins however they struggled on the road. Despite being on the back foot for most of the final quarter against the Bombers, Mac Andrew stood up late and took his moment to kick the match winning goal after the siren and give them Hardwick’s first victory away from home.

September 6, 2025: First finals win vs FremantleThings finally clicked for the Suns in 2025. The side hit the ground running with four wins from their first four and finished seventh. The team travelled to Perth to take on the Dockers in an elimination final. Scores were tied late in the last quarter and inaugural Sun David Swallow kicked the match winning point which was one of the feel-good moments for 2025.

October 15, 2025: Trade for Christian PetraccaAfter many years of struggling to retain players, the tables had turned on the Gold Coast. Damien Hardwick’s men had become a destination club for many players with Daniel Rioli and John Noble both opting to head north. The team was also boosted with several top draft picks joining through the academy. To finish 2025, Gold Coast beat Adelaide in securing the services of Christian Petracca.