Page 25 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW

METRICON STADIUM HIGHLIGHTS IN 2012
FIRST BIRTHDAY
OPENING ROUND
Season 2012 kicked off as thousands of footy fans welcomed
live AFL footy back to Metricon Stadium to see the Gold Coast SUNS take on Adelaide Crows. Eclectic, indie-pop headliners Hey Geronimo played on the Sound Stage in 5th Quarter LIVE, while the Calypso Steel Band roamed around entertaining the masses with tropical tunes. There were bean bags galore on the lawn for those wanting to put their feet up as the sun set over the Gold Coast. Reserved seat members got a surprise gift under their seats and the members only Light Tower Bar was packed after its off season revamp, with more furniture, a mobile draught bar to help speed up beer service and exclusive appearances by Gold Coast SUNS players.
FAMILY DAY
The new ‘twilight’ timeslot (as requested by our members) was a hit as the Gold Coast SUNS took on the Dockers at sunset. There were plenty of free activities for the kids near the AFL Playground, jumping castles, petting zoo, tea cup ride, fairy floss, kids sign making workshop and balloon artist kept families occupied for hours. Sunny Ray joined in on the Dreamworld character parade on field before the game. Adult members were invited to take a break and enjoy a free relaxing neck and shoulder massage at the Membership Hub. The crowd was shocked as Nathan Bock was stretchered off with a broken leg and there was a nailbiting finish to the game – neck and neck to the dying minutes.
Metricon Stadium celebrated its first birthday! There were $2 Drumsticks for members, first birthday balloons and the crowd sang happy birthday as lucky Foundation Member Danny Davey cut the footy field shaped cake on field. The energetic five-piece band The Lamplights played their organic blend of folk, funk, roots and blues on the Sound Stage before the game, at half time and after the game. The team at the Membership Hub gave away sachets of SUNScreen to keep the footy fans SUNSmart in the afternoon sun! Expectations were high but the Gold Coast SUNS were outshone on the day.
FIRST WIN AT METRICON STADIUM
The Gold Coast SUNS did it for the fans! The first win at Metricon Stadium came after a gutsy and competitive match between the two youngest teams in the AFL. The Gold Coast SUNS prevailed over Greater Western Sydney Giants in an exciting thirty point win. The GC SUNS club song played on repeat as fireworks rained down and fans enjoyed kick to kick on field at Metricon Stadium. The monkey has been shaken off the team’s back who now know how good it feels to win at home in front of over 14,500 members and fans.
GC SUNS IN THE COMMUNITY
The Gold Coast SUNS have only just finished their second season in the AFL, but in that two years, through the relentless work of the Clubs players and coaches, have managed to contribute a massive 10,000 hours of Community work for the local Community.
AFL Queensland
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