| GC SUNS to host ANZAC Day game in Mackay The Gold Coast SUNS will increase its presence in North Queensland, with the GC SUNS NEAFL team set to play a home game at Mackay's Harrup Park on ANZAC Day. The GC SUNS will take on reigning NEAFL premiers the Brisbane Lions in Mackay's very own version of the QCLASH. Acting GC SUNS CEO, Andrew Travis said the club was looking forward to playing in Mackay for the first time. "We are thrilled that in partnership with AFL Queensland and the Brisbane Lions that we host a GC SUNS NEAFL home game in Mackay." "The Gold Coast SUNS have been fortunate to receive great support from our fans in North Queensland and we are confident that this ANZAC Day match will be a huge hit for Mackay and AFL fans in region." Travis said the GC SUNS would continue to increase its presence in North Queensland, with the team also set to play North Melbourne in a NAB Cup Match in Townsville, as well as the Round 16 match against Richmond in Cairns and the GC SUNS Community programs throughout Far North Queensland. "We are very serious about strengthening our links with North Queensland. The region already forms part of our GC SUNS Academy zone, we have an increasing number of North Queenslanders on our list and we hope kids across the region look up to players like Jarrod Harbrow, Charlie Dixon, Zac Smith and Josh Hall." The Harrup Park clash will be played immediately following the annual City V Country clash. AFL Queensland CEO Michael Conlan said the match would add to what was already a major local event.
"AFL has a significant connection with our armed services as a celebration of our Australian culture and has been played by our troops across the globe for over 100 years," said Conlan.
"The Mackay AFL Community has created a fantastic event to honour the ANZAC tradition and we want to build on that in 2013 with the support of the Gold Coast SUNS and Brisbane Lions."
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