GOLD Coast has continued its push into North Queensland, committing to four games in Mackay with its women's team.
The four-year partnership includes a Winter Series game in 2019 and then a game in each of the Suns' first three seasons in the AFLW (2020-2022).
As well, the men's team will play a match for premiership points in Townsville either next season or in 2020, after hosting North Melbourne in Cairns in round one this year.
North Queensland is part of Gold Coast's academy zone and CEO Mark Evans said the long-term commitment to the region was crucial for the Suns' growth.
"We hope that showcasing elite women's football for at least the next four years will inspire junior athletes from Mackay to join and continue to play our great game," Evans said.
"Female participation in Queensland is thriving … and we're excited to enter the AFLW competition in 2020 at a time when the code is at such a strong level.
"Hopefully we can look forward to having some home-grown Mackay talent pulling the Suns guernsey on when we play our inaugural AFLW season."