Footy world split by the Gold Coast Suns’ pink jumper
The Suns wore their “trailblazing” pink jumper in their loss to Geelong, leading to a strong reaction across the footy world.
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The Gold Coast Suns donned their pink guernseys to light up a dour day in Geelong during their 24-point loss to the Cats on Saturday.
First unveiled in Gather Round in April, the pink jumpers were back as the Suns fell short of a first ever win at GMHBA Stadium, succumbing 9.7 (61) to 5.7 (37).
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Tom Stewart’s high bump on the Noah Anderson in the final term left the Suns midfielder in a bad way and the Geelong veteran sweating on the match review in an otherwise comfortable win for the home side.
Earlier this week, the Gold Coast club announced the unusual pick strip was “back by popular demand”, going on to describe the design as both “trailblazing” and “pioneering” in a press release.
The statement also said: “The pink design pays tribute to the quintessential pink skies of a Gold Coast sunrise and reflects the club’s push to break norms and long-standing tradition.”
So there you go.
The uniform is finished off with black shorts with a pink trim and pink socks.
The outfit has more of a salmon hue as far as we’re concerned, but we digress.
The Cats, who are missing Brownlow contender and late out Bailey Smith (hamstring), have beaten the Suns by an average of 72 points over their seven straight wins against the expansion side at their home venue.
Gold Coast also lost to Essendon by 68 points at the same ground in 2021, the last time they played in Geelong.
The Suns were competitive until midway through the third term before the Cats accelerated away, with the pink jumpers unable to buck the Kardinia trend for the Suns.
It’s fair to say the bright strip also deeply divided the opinions of those watching on.
Among the more positive comments on X, one fan wrote: “Suns pink jumper is so damn good man.”
Another wrote: “Love the Suns away guernsey.”
A third wasn’t quite so effusive, tweeting: “Gotta say, don’t absolutely hate the Suns kit.”
A fourth felt the jumper was the key to the game, declaring: “Gold Coast wearing the pink top. Give me Gold Cost by 75 points.”
As always with social media, there were also plenty of people who weren’t taking to the unmissable colour.
“Gold Coast giving me Inter Miami vibes and I hate it,” was one comment, referencing the pink of Lionel Messi’s MLS club.
“Wow the Suns pink kit is a … choice,” said another.
“What in the actual holy hell are Gold Coast wearing??” was one of the stronger reactions.
Another asked simply: “How good would it be if the Suns Gold Coast just wore a football jumper with an actual Sun on it?”
When they were asked what was wrong with the jumper, they replied: “It’s hideous. And last time I looked, their colours were red and yellow. Not taramasalata pink.”
“Taramasalata pink” is easily our favourite tweet of the day so far.
Another fan was getting confused among the expansion clubs, tweeting: “Every time the Suns get it I think it’s the Giants.”
Whatever your take on the uniform, the Suns arrived in Geelong in the unusual position of fourth on the AFL ladder and on track for their first ever finals appearance.
If they can continue their good form under Damien Hardwick and break that September drought, fans surely won’t care what colour they decide to wear on the field.
After a series of wretched results in Geelong, the Suns went to halftime trailing by just seven points, 4.4 (28) to 3.3 (21).
They got within a point early in the third term, but the Cats kicked five of the game’s last seven goals to record a solid win and leapfrog the Gold Coast into the top four on percentage.
Originally published as Footy world split by the Gold Coast Suns’ pink jumper
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