Gold Coast Suns v GWS Giants: AFLW returned to Mackay with Covid protocols

Mackay may be in the centre of rugby league territory, but Australian rules football put a stake in the ground as the sporting code began winning over fans.

Mackay may be located in the heartlands of rugby league, but anyone who says the sugar city does not care for Australian rules football is kidding themselves.

The Great Barrier Reef Arena hosted an opening-round clash between Gold Coast Suns and GWS Giants, and it was an electrifying atmosphere filled with passion.

The Suns gather in a huddle at a quarter break during the round one AFLW match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at the Great Barrier Reef Arena on January 09, 2022 in Mackay, Australia. Picture: Ian Hitchcock

Fans from young to old packed the grandstand behind the southern goals, cheering every Suns disposal, and booing the umpires for decisions against their beloved team.

The biggest cheers came for local legend Lauren Bella, with the ruck just needing to be near the ball to get chants started.

Mackay stadium covered in red and gold in round one AFLW match

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Despite the Suns going down to the Giants 36-21, Bella said it was fantastic to be back in Mackay.

“It was really good to come back home, especially with my teammates, playing on my home soil in front of family and friends was really special,” she said after the match.

“The facilities up here are so impressive, it’s amazing how far the Great Barrier Reef Arena has come since I was 12 and playing junior sport here.

Lauren Bella of the Suns is tackled by Lisa Steane of the Giants during the round one AFLW match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at the Great Barrier Reef Arena on January 09, 2022 in Mackay, Australia. Picture: Ian Hitchcock

“They’ve done a massive job to improve the facilities up here and we’re really lucky to be able to use them.”

Mackay was the stage for five debutants for the Suns, with Charlie Rowbottom, Jacqui Dupuy, Tara Bohanna and Alana Barba taking the field while Cameron Joyce led the group for his first game in charge.

Joyce said the debutants, like Rowbottom, had impressed across the pre-season as well as in round one.

“One of the great parts of the job is to give opportunities to girls to play AFLW,” he said.

Charlie Rowbottom of the Suns looks on during the round one AFLW match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at the Great Barrier Reef Arena on January 09, 2022 in Mackay, Australia. Picture: Ian Hitchcock

“In terms of her (Rowbottom) attack on the footy, for an 18 year old coming straight in, everyone would see that.

“She’s only going to get better, and that’s exciting.”

Charlie Rowbottom and Daisy D'Arcy during a Gold Coast Suns AFLW training session at Metricon Stadium Ovals on November 10, 2021 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos)

The game was given the go-ahead despite fears of a Covid outbreak at the end of December in the Gold Coast Suns camp ruining Mackay’s only AFLW game for the year.

Lauren Bella is expected to be fit for Gold Coast’s clash with GWS in her home town of Mackay. Picture: Albert Perez

Gold Coast had five players test positive to Covid at the end of December, but the club took a full squad into round one.