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Sun shines on Gold Coast in AFLW

3 minute read

Gold Coast have never made finals during their nine seasons in the AFL, but the Suns' women's team has qualified for the post-season after just one.

AFL CEO GILLON MCLACHLAN is seen speaking at a press conference at AFL House in Melbourne, Australia.
AFL CEO GILLON MCLACHLAN is seen speaking at a press conference at AFL House in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Gold Coast will play finals in their debut AFLW campaign following the competition's decision to scrap the final two regular season rounds.

The Suns face the giant task of flying more than five hours west to battle undefeated Fremantle in Saturday's semi-final.

Playing finals is something Gold Coast's men's team hasn't done since joining the AFL in 2011.

The AFLW finals fixture was released following AFL boss Gillon McLachlan's confirmation late on Wednesday that men's and women's games would proceed this weekend amid the coronavirus crisis.

With four new sides taking this year's competition up to 14 clubs, a six-team, three-week finals series was slated for the AFLW's fourth season.

But the finals will now feature eight teams, all involving knockout games, due to the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the pandemic.

The Suns and Collingwood, who finished fourth in their conferences, wouldn't have qualified if the regular season ran for eight rounds as planned.

In other games on Saturday, the Magpies battle North Melbourne at Ikon Park and GWS hosts Melbourne.

Brisbane travel to Melbourne to take on last year's grand finalists Carlton at Ikon Park on Sunday.

The grand final will be held on April 4 or 5, with the preliminary finals next weekend.

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