Gold Coast Suns and North Melbourne to play Round 1 in Cairns in 2018

A MELBOURNE club will head north — far north — to open its season in 2018 against the Gold Coast Suns as the AFL fixture begins to take shape.

The Gold Coast Suns will host a Melbourne club in Cairns to open the season. Picture: Getty Images

NORTH Melbourne will open its 2018 season in Cairns with a clash against the Gold Coast Suns at Cazaly Stadium.

The Suns and Roos will square off under lights with a 6.25pm AEST start on March 24 after the AFL dropped its first fixturing news for next season.

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The Gold Coast Suns will host a Melbourne club in Cairns to open the season. Picture: Getty Images

With Metricon Stadium unavailable due to the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, the match will mark the first time the Suns have hosted a home game in Cairns, despite having played there seven times.

“The Suns are thrilled to be kicking off our 2018 season in Cairns against North Melbourne,” Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans said.

“A round one game in Cairns presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase the region ahead of what is always a much-anticipated opening round.

“As a club we have established significant support in Cairns and throughout North Queensland.

“We are committed to playing our role in developing our game throughout the region, which is also a key recruitment catchment for the Suns talent academy.”

AFL general manager clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld said the match was part of a deal that would also involve a Suns game in Townsville in either 2019 or 2020.

Richmond hosted matches at Cazaly Stadium between 2011 and 2013 before the Western Bulldogs hosted a home game in each year from 2014 to 2017.