The Essendon Bombers (8-2-1) and the Gold Coast Suns (6-5) will lock horns in an entertaining contest to end Round 12. Despite sitting second on the ladder, the Bombers enter the contest as slight underdogs against the 10th-placed Suns.
Gold Coast are yet to pick up a win on the road but can be boosted by a return to home comforts, where they enjoy a perfect record this season. The Suns still need to close the gap between their best and worst performances, but a first victory over the Bombers since 2016 could improve their chances of making their finals debut, especially with the struggling Saints up next.
Meanwhile, The Bombers have taken advantage of a favourable schedule that has included games against three of the league's lowest-ranked clubs in the last four weeks, as well as a thrilling triumph against GWS Giants. The Bombers will now face a string of top-eight contenders, beginning with a Suns team that has transformed their home into a fortress, followed by Carlton.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch Gold Coast Suns vs Essendon in the AFL, plus plenty more.
Gold Coast vs Essendon date and start time
| Date | Sunday, June 2, 2024 |
| Start time | 4:00pm AEST/ 3:30pm ACST/ 2:00pm AWST |
| Venue | People First Stadium |
| Location | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia |
How to watch Gold Coast vs Essendon on TV & stream live online
There are several options to watch the Gold Coast Suns vs Essendon AFL game in Australia, including Network Seven, Foxtel, Foxtel from Telstra, and Kayo Sports.
The best way to livestream the aforementioned AFL game is through Kayo with a seven-day free trial. It also does not have a lock-in contract or equipment fees, which means you can cancel anytime if you are no longer using it.
All you need to decide is whether you want to pick Kayo One at $25 per month (1 stream and up to HD), or Kayo Basic at $35 per month (2 streams and up to 4K).
What channel is Gold Coast Suns vs Essendon game on?
The game will not be broadcast live on 7mate on free-to-air TV, but will be available to watch Fox Footy on pay TV. Triple M, ABC and AFL Nation will provide the radio coverage.
Streaming the game with a VPN
- Overview of VPN services that allow access to geo-restricted streams
- How to set up and use a VPN service to stream the match
You can watch the game from wherever you are in the world by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service such as NordVPN/ ExpressVPN. A VPN will allow you to create a secure connection online when you are abroad on holiday or for work and you want to stream the game live.
If you are not sure which VPN to use or how to use a VPN, we have taken a look at the best options available out there for watching live sports - check out the best VPN services review here.
Here’s an easy step-by-step guide on how to use a VPN to watch a game when you are overseas:
- Install VPN of your choice - see our reviews here for the best options.
- Select the location you wish to connect to. This is easy - if you are visiting the UK and you wish to continue watching one of your U.S. streaming services, you would select the US.
- Grab the popcorn and get ready to watch!
Gold Coast Suns vs Essendon team news
Gold Coast Suns team news
Barring any last-minute complications, Forward Malcolm Rosas jr. will be ready this weekend after recovering from a hamstring issue. Lachie Weller (knee) is stepping up his training load, but he's still a few weeks away from returning to competitive action.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Ruck | Read, Witts, Rogers, Moyle |
| Defender | Ballard, Brock, Graham, Casboult, Brock, Graham, Atkins, Weller, Long, Lemmens, Collins, Powell, Casboult, Long, Swallow, King, Budarick, Clohesy, Macpherson, Farrar |
| Midfielder | Flanders, Ellis, Davies, Fiorini, Miller, Anderson, Rowell, Graham, Rogers, Powell, Andrew, Faulkhead, Rowlands, Oea |
| Forward | Ballard, Lukosius, Day, Walter, Casboult, King, Sexton, Holman, Ainsworth, Berry, Tsitas, Jeffrey, Rosas |
Essendon team news
The Bombers will be without Ben Hobbs (calf) until at least round 14, but Nik Cox has avoided a hamstring injury. Will Setterfield (knee) is scheduled to return to play this weekend following a knee test.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Rucks | Draper, Goldstein, Bryan, Visentini |
| Defenders | Ridley, Laverde, Hayes, Baldwin, Reid, McKay, McGrath, Hind, Heppell, Durham, Redman, Kelly, Lual, Davey Jnr, Roberts |
| Midfielders | Parish, Tsatas, Caldwell, Merrett, Hobbs, Shiel, Cox, Setterfield, Wright, Duursma, Martin |
| Forwards | Langford, Weideman, Perkins, Jones, Baldwin, Caddy, Reid, McKay, Hunter, Gresham, Stringer, Davey, Wanganeen, Menzie |
Head-to-Head Record
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 26/03/23 | Essendon Bombers 108-80 Gold Coast Suns | AFL |
| 17/07/22 | Essendon Bombers 103-55 Gold Coast Suns | AFL |
| 15/08/21 | Gold Coast Suns 30-98 Essendon Bombers | AFL |
| 12/08/20 | Gold Coast Suns 73-73 Essendon Bombers | AFL |
| 28/07/19 | Gold Coast Suns 96-106 Essendon Bombers | AFL |