Tough Road Ahead: Gold Coast Suns Face Brutal 2026 Draw

The Gold Coast Suns have been handed one of the more challenging draws for the 2026 AFL season, with their double-up opponents reading like a who's who of the competition's heavyweights.

The boys will face Brisbane, Geelong, GWS, Hawthorn, Melbourne, and St Kilda twice throughout the year. That's three top-six finishers from 2025, two middle-six teams, and just one bottom-six opponent.

The Suns will be particularly wary of the double-headers against their cross-town rivals, Brisbane and perennial contenders Geelong. Both matches against the Lions will have serious implications, not just for ladder position but for pride in what's becoming a genuine Queensland rivalry, especially after last year’s semi-finals loss.

Playing the Cats twice means navigating Chris Scott's tactical nous on two separate occasions, something even the best teams in the competition struggle with. Geelong's ability to adjust mid-game and exploit opposition weaknesses. This presents a real test of the Suns’ maturity.

The Hawks, in particular, have been building something special under Sam Mitchell, and facing them twice could prove costly. Their young core, led by the electric combination of their emerging stars, plays with a fearlessness that can unsettle even the most experienced teams. These games could easily swing either way, making them critical for both sides' finals aspirations.

The silver lining, if there is one, comes in the form of St Kilda. As the only bottom-six team in their double-up fixture, the Saints present the Suns with their best opportunity to bank crucial percentage-boosting wins. But even that's no guarantee in a competition as tight as the AFL. The Suns will be expected to win both of these clashes, and anything less could be viewed as two points dropped.

The question now becomes whether the Gold Coast can sustain its 2025 success in handling this level of difficulty. Hardwick led the team to its first 11-win season in 2024, finished seventh on the 2025 ladder and made it to the semi-finals in 2025. This history seems to indicate they are.

For a Gold Coast outfit that has established itself as a consistent threat, this draw represents a significant hurdle. The Suns showed glimpses of their potential in 2025 to win a flag, but translating that into sustained success requires winning the games you're supposed to and stealing a few you're not. With this fixture, the margin for error is razor-thin.

Travel could also play a factor, though perhaps less so than for some other clubs. Home games will be crucial, and the Suns will need to protect their home ground like a fortress.

It's a draw that could make or break the Suns' 2026 campaign. Rise to the challenge, and they'll announce themselves as genuine and fearsome contenders who’ve earned the right to be there. The talent is there, the coaching is there, but can they put it all together when it matters most? That's the question that will define their season.

One thing's certain. There won't be any easy rides. The Suns will earn every win they get, and by season's end, they'll know exactly where they stand in the pecking order.