GOLD Coast will not know the full financial impact of playing the first half of 2018 on the road until the end of next season, says CEO Mark Evans. 

With Metricon Stadium unavailable due to April's Commonwealth Games, the Suns were forced to play their first nine games away from home before Saturday's return against Geelong. 

They sold home games to Fremantle and Port Adelaide and played at alternate 'home' venues in Cairns and Brisbane, all reaping financial gains. 

But just how that windfall will line up against potential losses in sponsors, memberships or home crowds will take a long time to fully understand, says Evans. 

"You don't really know impact until you get through with membership and attendances both this year and next year," Evans told AFL.com.au. 

"We were creative to find some additional revenue to discount membership for this year so that it wasn't a barrier with the reduced content.

"The big question for us is to make sure everyone gets back to the footy, has a great time and sees the sense in taking out the membership products we have to offer." 

There's concern Suns supporters might have been reluctant to take up memberships, knowing they would only get seven games at Metricon – despite the discounted rate – and would pick and choose their games. 

Evans says the big task is to ensure those fans are members again by next year.

One big step the club has taken to improve its community integration is to assign players to local clubs that they regularly visit. 

Coach Stuart Dew has also had coaches from Gold Coast clubs into the Suns headquarters to swap ideas and get a look at a professional set-up.

"We've identified the role we want to play to help inspire kids and inspire families to come to the football," Evans said. 

"That's an integral part of our job. 

"Our footy department has been heavily invested in the role of devising our business plan, which has a big focus on a complete engagement strategy with our community." 

Saturday's match at Metricon will be the first in 287 days, since the Suns lost to Essendon in round 22 last season.