AFTER several years in a row of almost but not quite making the finals, 2023 saw Gold Coast finally take that next step and make the finals for the first time since their inaugural season. However that final series did not quite go to plan, bowing out to Sydney in the first week of the finals.

However, with some further list rejuvenation and some key inclusions, do the Suns finally have all the pieces they need to make a serious charge through the finals?

TEAM LIST

#1 Annabel Kievit

#2 Lauren Bella

#3 Darcie Davies

#4 Claudia Whitfort

#5 Maddy Brancatisano

#6 Elise Barwick

#7 Katie Lynch

#8 Charlie Rowbottom

#9 Clara Fitzpatrick

#10 Ella Maurer

#11 Niamh McLaughlin

#12 Tara Bohanna

#13 Lucy Single

#14 Cara McCrossan

#15 Wallis Randell

#16 Ella Smith

#17 Jamie Stanton

#18 Georgia Clayden

#19 Ashanti Bush

#20 Daisy D’Arcy

#21 Jordan Membrey

#22 Charlotte Wilson

#23 Sienna McMullen*

#24 Alana Gee

#25 Meara Girvan

#26 Kiara Bischa

#27 Jacqui Dupuy

#30 Keely Fullerton

#32 Lauren McConville

#39 Vivien Saad

#44 Taya Oliver

* Inactive

SQUAD CHANGES

In: Annabel Kievit, Katie Lynch, Ella Smith, Charlotte Wilson, Sienna McMullen, Kiara Bischa, Keely Fullerton, Lauren McConville, Taya Oliver

Out: Jasmyn Smith, Maddison Levi, Teagan Levi, Claire Ransom, Lauren Ahrens, Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster, Giselle Davies, Kalinda Howarth, Bess Keaney, Alison Drennan, Tahlia Meyer, Kaylee Kimber

FIXTURE

Match 1: August 31 vs St Kilda at People First Stadium

Match 2: September 8 vs Carlton at Great Barrier Reef Arena

Match 3: September 15 vs GWS at Manuka Oval

Match 4: September 21 vs Geelong at People Frist Stadium

Match 5: September 27 vs Collingwood at Swinburne Centre

Match 6: October 2 vs Hawthorn at Kinetic Stadium

Match 7: October 6 vs Essendon at People First Stadium

Match 8: October 12 vs Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena

Match 9: October 19 vs Sydney at Henson Park

Match 10: October 26 vs Port Adelaide at People First Stadium

Match 11: TBC vs North Melbourne at Arden St Oval

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Can they build on last year?

For so many years in a row, Gold Coast got close to making the finals but just could not quite there, but that change last year when they finally did qualify for the final. They may not have won a final last year, but the question is can they build on that and go even further in 2024?

Do they have all the pieces they need now to be a contender?

One of the biggest weaknesses in Gold Coast’s squad last season was their key defenders, which they addressed in the offseason adding Katie Lynch and Charlotte Wilson.

With a dangerous forward line and an exciting midfield in place already, does coach Cam Joyce finally have all the bits he needs to take this side deep into the finals?

PLAYER TO WATCH

Charlotte Wilson

Wilson has had a rocky few years in the AFLW system, struggling to find a consistent spot in Melbourne’s team after moving across from Carlton. But now she has moved states, got a totally fresh start and a really big opportunity to lock down a spot in Gold Coast’s defence and make a big impact. It will be interesting to watch how she goes.

PREDICTION

Gold Coast took a big step last season and made the finals, and now that the Suns have, they need to build on that and go even further this season. They have all the key pieces they need now, so pushing further into finals is a realistic target for them this season. They might not be able to contend with the top four just yet, but they should realistically progress further into finals than they did in 2023.