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Gold Coast Suns vs Geelong Cats AFL Opening Round Tips - The Sun rises early in 2026

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Thu 05 Mar 2026 09:45

Jeremy Darke 05 Mar 2026

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The game will be played at People First Stadium on Friday, 6th March, with the bounce at 8:05 PM (AEDT)
Gold Coast Suns aim for an early win against Geelong Cats.
Key players like Christian Petracca boost Suns' lineup.
Geelong Cats rely on experience but face challenges.

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Gold Coast Suns vs Geelong Cats AFL Opening Round Tips

Gold Coast Suns vs Geelong Cats, Opening Round 2026 - Expert Prediction

The Gold Coast Suns will weather the expectation heading into 2026 by getting an early win against one the contenders in the Geelong Cats on Friday night.

Gold Coast Suns vs Geelong Cats, Opening Round 2026 - Expert Prediction
Key Stats & Trends
Gold Coast Suns Form Analysis & Team News
Gold Coast Suns Team News
Gold Coast Suns Team List
Geelong Cats Form Analysis & Team News
Geelong Cats Team News
Geelong Cats Team List
Gold Coast Suns vs Geelong Cats AFL 2026 Opening Round FAQ’s

If the offseason had a winner, the Suns were up there with an A-grading after picking up the hottest name on the market in Christian Petracca and complimenting that signing with a potential x-factor in Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. The experience of the ex-Demon could very well be the piece the Gold Coast need to contend for their first premiership flag.

On experience, the Cats have a lot of it and look to be very settled again in 2026 and will be a tough beat for the Suns in the Opening Round, however, the Gold Coast have started their seasons well under Damien Hardwick and a 9 of 11 victory as the home team also weighs heavily in their favour in this early-clash.

With potential a bit of drizzle around on Friday at People First Stadium, this match is going to be won in the midfield with quick exits out of danger. Fitness will always play its part early in the season and I give that edge also to the Coast.

Expect Christian Petracca to be heavily involved early, especially in the absence of Matt Rowell, giving the new recruit a licence to get his hands on the ball as much as possible.

Ben King will be the focus in the forward line, however, 2+ goals for Ben Long is the play I am attacking, after knowing that Ugle-Hagan’s time on the field will be managed due to match fitness.

Key Stats & Trends

The Gold Coast have won their opening two matches of each season under Damien Hardwick
Geelong’s 6 losses in 2025 were by 41 points or less.
Christian Petracca had 24 disposals in the Suns Community Shield match and averaged 25.5 touches in 2025.
Ben Long kicked 2+ goals in 6 of his final 8 regular season games in 2025.

Gold Coast Suns Form Analysis & Team News

The Suns can not hide in 2026, heading into the season with the weight of expectation on their backs after a very strong offseason where they put the experienced Christian Petracca in their stacked midfield and also added some firepower up front with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who should open up some space for Coleman Medal hopeful Ben King.

The Suns played finals footy for the first time in the club’s history and even snatched a victory over Fremantle. This season they are second favourites behind their big brother the Brisbane Lions, and Damien Hardwick’s successful tenure at the Gold Coast has a preliminary final bar that is expected to be reached this year.

Gold Coast Suns Team News

2025 Brownlow Medalist Matt Rowell will miss at least the first three matches of the season after suffering a finger injury in the AFL Origin match.

The positive news, Ethan Read will line up this week despite missing the preseason

Gold Coast Suns Team List

B: M.Andrew 1 B.Uwland 6 S.Collins 25

HB: J.Noble 2 D.Rioli 17 J.Jeffrey 16

C: L.Weller 14 W.Powell 27 S.Clohesy 33

HF: C.Petracca 3 B.Humphrey 19 W.Graham 26

F: E.Read 20 B.King 34 L.Lombard 8

Foll: J.Witts 28 N.Anderson - C 15 T.Miller 11

I/C: A.Davies 5 B.Long 22 Z.Uwland 32 O.Adams 48 J.Farrar 50

Emerg: N.Moyle 23 L.Gulbin 39 C.Graham 46

Notable absentees: Matt Rowell, Jed Walter, Nick Holman, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Charlie Ballard

Geelong Cats Form Analysis & Team News

How hard will the Grand Final thrashing hit for the Geelong Cats in 2026? That is one of the biggest questions Geelong faces heading into this season, along with the common narrative that they are beyond their years with an aging roster.

The recruitment of Hawthorn’s James Worpel will boost their contests in the midfield which could be said was one of their weaker areas throughout 2025. Although on the older side of the pendulum, the Cats are stable and another run at the Premiership is very likely if they manage their players well and avoid injury.

Geelong Cats Team News

Gryan Miers is not likely to face the Suns this weekend, suffering a finger injury.

There are also clouds over Geelong’s biggest stars, Bailey Smith (calf), Patrick Dangerfield (calf) and Jeremy Cameron (quad) are all tests but are likely to play.

Ruckman Toby Conway does not have a timeline yet for his return.

Geelong Cats Team List

B: C.O'Sullivan 14 S.De Koning 16 J.Henry 38

HB: Z.Guthrie 39 T.Stewart - C 44 L.Humphries 17

C: O.Dempsey 28 M.Holmes 9 M.O'Connor 42

HF: B.Close 45 S.Mannagh 7 G.Miers 32

F: O.Henry 36 S.Neale 33 J.Martin 19

Foll: M.Blicavs 46 T.Atkins 30 B.Smith 3

I/C: T.Bruhn 4 O.Mullin 34 M.Knevitt 10 J.Worpel 29 J.Clark 13

Emerg: J.Polkinghorne 2 L.Hofmann 23 M.Edwards 11

Notable absentees: Patrick Dangerfield, Rhys Stanley, Jeremy Cameron, Jake Kolodjashnij, Jack Bowes, Tyson Stengle, Jed Bews

Gold Coast Suns vs Geelong Cats AFL 2026 Opening Round FAQ’s

How to watch Gold Coast Suns vs Geelong Cats AFL 2026 Opening Round?

You can watch the Gold Coast Suns vs Geelong Cats AFL 2026 Opening Round game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Gold Coast Suns vs Geelong Cats AFL 2026 Opening Round?

To buy tickets to the Gold Coast Suns vs Geelong Cats AFL 2026 Opening Round game check the AFL website or the official Gold Coast Suns site.

Verdict

Gold Coast Suns v Geelong Cats

The Suns will get an early win by a 1-39 margin. Christian Petracca will have 25+ disposals and Ben Long will kick two for the Coast.

Gold Coast Suns

1-39 Winning Margin

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Christian Petracca

25+ Disposals

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Ben Long

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