It's almost fitting that Kevin Sheedy's farewell to coaching comes against fellow expansion team Gold Coast. Sheedy has been a pioneer on many fronts in the AFL, and culminating his career with a match between teams from Queensland and New South Wales will surely bring a smile to his face. Suns counterpart Guy McKenna is unlikely to be smiling though, after his team put in its worst performance of the season against St Kilda last week.
Gold Coast have been terrific in 2013, racking up seven wins, but a raft of injuries leave them ever-so-slightly vulnerable against Sheedy's Giants. Gary Ablett's hunt for the Brownlow Medal and Jeremy Cameron's outside chance at the Coleman Medal are interesting sub-plots. The Suns should spoil Sheedy's farewell, though.
WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Sunday September 1, 1.10pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
LAST THREE TIMES
R5, 2013, Gold Coast 21.22 (148) d GWS Giants 16.8 (104) at Manuka Oval
R20, 2012, Gold Coast 16.13 (109) d GWS Giants 12.7 (79) at Metricon Stadium
R7, 2012, GWS Giants 13.16 (94) d Gold Coast 9.13 (67) at Manuka Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. Gold Coast defeated GWS in round five by 44 points at Manuka Oval. In kicking 21 goals, it was the Suns' best offensive output for the season.
2. Forward Charlie Dixon was a star for the Suns, kicking a club record six goals. Callan Ward led the way for the Giants with 31 possessions.
3. The record between the expansion clubs stands at 2-1 in favour of the Suns. The Giants' win came in round seven, 2012 – the first in club history.
4. Kevin Sheedy has coached at Metricon Stadium, formally Carrara, six times for five wins, all with Essendon.
5. GWS have had the fewest inside-50s this season, with only 40.1 per game. The Suns are ranked 13th with 49.1 per game.
6. Young Sun Harley Bennell continued his remarkable rise up the AFL ranks. Bennell had 22 disposals last weekend to propel him to number 31 overall in the Official AFL Player Ratings.
