AFL Suns eye Darwin for a replacement premiership clash after Hawks game scrapped

Suns focusing on a return to Darwin for a premiership match after the COVID-19 shirtfronted last weekend’s Round 12 game against Hawthorn at TIO Stadium.

Ben King, centre, celebrates a goal for the Gold Coast Suns during his side’s win over Hawthorn in their round 11 AFL match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

GOLD Coast chief executive Mark Evans says an AFL premiership match in Darwin involving the Suns is still a big possibility.

The Suns were forced to play Hawthorn in Sydney on Saturday night instead of Darwin’s TIO Stadium after border closures forced the AFL to look for an alternate venue.

And while a 37-point win over the struggling Hawks lifted the Suns to 14th spot and two games out of the top eight, Evans would have preferred the fixture to be played in Darwin.

“We were extremely disappointed that the Melbourne COVID outbreak meant we didn’t get to play the Hawks in Darwin,’’ he said.

“The Suns’ partnership with the NT is very important to us. We still want to play game in Darwin this season and are working with the AFL to explore every option.’’

The Suns have ruled out a potential clash with Steven Motlop’s Port Adelaide in a fortnight’s time because of a clash with the Darwin supercar round and the logistical challenge that poses with accommodation needs.

But Evans said everyone involved at league and club level are still working toward a Suns home game at TIO Stadium.

“All parties involved remain hopeful of playing there in the second half of the season,’’ Evans said.

The Suns had a big presence in Darwin in the lead-up to the cancelled match, including injured defender Rory Thompson and Darwin’s AFLW midfielder Janet Baird.