THE AFL party rolled into a rarely visited town on Saturday and the people of Cairns proved to be willing and generous hosts.

That it was a seesawing game between Richmond and Gold Coast with a thrilling finish was a bonus.

The real test for the AFL number crunchers would be in how many locals turned out to watch and then how they received the game previously only presented to them in NAB Cup form.

It's fair to say the people of Far North Queensland delivered on both counts with 10,832 fans cramming into boutique Cazaly's Stadium to form a noisy, boisterous crowd.

Surprisingly enough AFL newcomers Gold Coast seem to have gained a significant foothold in the area despite giving up a hefty head start to Queensland rivals, the Brisbane Lions.

Sure the region now forms part of the Suns' development zone, into which they've put a lot of time and resources, but the club is yet to celebrate its third birthday.  

Despite that, hundreds of kids got about in bright red Suns gear at the signing session at Cazaly's on Friday afternoon and then at Saturday's main event.

There's no doubt the success of the club in the area is due, in no small part, to the star power of Gary Ablett. Long queues formed for the Tigers' signing session held earlier on Friday, but the former Cat was clearly who the fans had come out to see.

The applause that greeted the first few Suns to walk onto the ground for a stretch prior to the autograph session became a rapturous ovation as kids mobbed Ablett hoping for a high five that he did his best to deliver.

Whether those kids put down their Broncos or Cowboys gear in favour of a Gold Coast flag is difficult to discern, but that's one for the higher-ups to ponder because Saturday was all about enjoying the carnival atmosphere of the newly-refurbished stadium.

Sausages sizzled, faces were painted and Mike Brady even made an appearance to sing Up There Cazaly in the warm, windy conditions that didn't deter many of the locals, or Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan, from donning Gold Coast scarves.

Despite the size of the turnout, organisers could have been forgiven a few moments of angst as Richmond, playing the first of three home games in three years at the venue, threatened to turn the match into a non-event.

The Tigers bolted to a six-goal lead with the aid of the wind, to largely muted applause it must be said, but the crowd showed its true colours when David Swallow managed one of just two goals into the gale all day.

The sheer elation was palpable as the No.1 draft pick rammed home the Suns' first goal of the game into the devilishly tricky breeze.

Gold Coast's fight back and eventual victory was received with equal, if not greater enthusiasm, with Ablett's brilliantly snapped goal to start the final term a particularly memorable moment.

They may not have known all the words, the players have only sung it themselves three times now, but the Suns' song was tackled with admirable gusto by delighted fans in the afterglow of the 15-point win.

The conditions, the entertainment and the venue all made for a very different spectacle to the one that took place simultaneously more than 2000 kilometres to the south between Carlton and Collingwood at the MCG.

Although it was unlike the clash of traditional rivals in so many ways, it was by no means worse or better. It was just AFL footy - Far North Queensland style - and if Saturday's events are an accurate guide its here to stay.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs