<p>It’s a historic night on the Gold Coast and possibly the biggest of the Suns' season.</p> <p>Not only are they hosting Collingwood—the high-flying ladder leaders who have effortlessly brushed aside nearly every challenger this year—but, for the first time ever, the Suns will host a Friday night match at their home ground in Carrara.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Suns, who have looked like finals contenders all year, are fighting hard to secure a spot in September. This is despite recording a comfortable win against the Bombers on the weekend, which brought their record to 10-5 for the season. Sitting seventh, tied with three other teams on 10 wins and just below the four teams with 11 wins, anyone from second to ninth (the teams still realistically in the running this year) risks falling out of the eight and missing the finals.</p> <p>&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Pies sit comfortably at the top of the ladder. Their fans celebrate after adding more pain to their fiercest rivals. A 56-point win over the Blues at the MCG... and for the most part, it seemed they barely left second gear, as Carlton kept kicking the ball back to them. They punished them, as they do most teams.</p> <p>With 14 wins and a 10-point lead at the top, Collingwood has already qualified for the finals, so they'll focus on managing their squad and hoping to avoid major injuries. Craig McRae might still face selection headaches, though.&nbsp;</p> <p>Veteran midfielder Tom Mitchell impressed on his return after over a year out with injury, while mid-season draftee Roan Steele didn’t look out of place on his AFL debut. Steele Sidebottom is expected to return for the trip north, while Bobby Hill is less likely to come back, still absent for personal reasons.</p> <p>At the Suns, Damien Hardwick will be monitoring the fitness of star defender Sam Collins, who was a late withdrawal with calf tightness against Essendon. Number one ruckman Jarrod Witts should return after being managed last week.&nbsp;</p> <p>David Swallow, Alex Davies, Leo Lombard, Mal Rosas, and Nick Holman all showed promise at VFL level and could be considered if Hardwick decides to switch things up.&nbsp;</p> <p>Last year, the Suns defeated the Pies in a display of maturity when it looked like Collingwood, led by the remarkable Nick Daicos, was about to steal victory once again. However, the Suns managed to settle with a pair of late goals and hold on for an 11-point win. We hope for a similar contest this time around.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Suns vs Pies prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Collingwood Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Gold Coast Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Bodhi Uwland, Sam Collins, Wil Powell</p> <p>HB: Daniel Rioli, Mac Andrew, John Noble</p> <p>C: Sam Clohesy, Matt Rowell, Brayden Fiorini</p> <p>HF: Ben Ainsworth, Jed Walter, Bailey Humphrey</p> <p>F: Ben Long, Ben King, Sam Flanders</p> <p>Foll: Jarrod Witts, Touk Miller, Noah Anderson</p> <p>Int: Ned Moyle, Joel Jeffrey, Lachie Weller, Alex Sexton, Connor Budarick</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Collingwood Predicted Team List</h3> <p>B: Isaac Quaynor, Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard</p> <p>HB: Josh Daicos, Jeremy Howe, Dan Houston</p> <p>C: Jack Crisp, Scott Pendlebury, Harry Perryman</p> <p>HF: Roan Steele, Dan McStay, Jamie Elliott</p> <p>F: Tim Membrey, Brody Mihocek, Will Hoskin-Elliott</p> <p>Foll: Darcy Cameron, Nick Daicos, Pat Lipinski</p> <p>Int: Tom Mitchell, Ned Long, Lachie Sullivan, Oleg Markov, Steele Sidebottom</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Collingwood Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Suns have only tasted victory four times in their 15 overall meetings with Collingwood. Two of them have come in the past five head-to-head matches.</p> <p>The Pies have maintained their excellence all season with the best attacking and defensive profile in the competition. They put on a score-off turnover clinic last week against the Blues, recording 72 points from turnovers.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Suns, though, have slipped into their regular second-half-of-the-season wobbles and have dropped right off the pace. Ranking 11th overall in the last five weeks. Specifically, 12th for offence and 10th for defence, and has had five weeks of poorly defending opposition ball movement from defensive 50 to attacking 50.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Suns have hardly lost at home since Damien Hardwick took the reins as coach, but in the same breath, Collingwood have become the competition's road warriors under Craig McRae, having dropped just six of 17 interstate games since he’s been the coach.&nbsp;</p> <p>A 5-2 overall record up on the Gold Coast, it’s a happy hunting ground for the Pies, who have an army of fans wherever they go… and no doubt would have followed them up north for the school holidays. We’re backing them to bring the win home with them, too.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-suns-v-collingwood-9367048">Pies</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Pies' key forward Dan McStay would have had this fortnight circled in the fixture for a while. Carlton and the Suns - the two sides he’s kicked the most goals against in his career.&nbsp;</p> <p>After filling his boots with four against the Blues, we’re backing him to start things off with another haul here, starting with the first one of the game.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-suns-v-collingwood-9367048">Dan McStay</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>While other parts of Suns' game have ailed post-bye, the engine room has continued to put up numbers.</p> <p>And it looms as the area where they can really get on top of Collingwood in this fixture.&nbsp;</p> <p>Former skipper Touk Miller must be having the time of his life riding shotgun in the middle with the likes of Anderson, Rowell, and Humphrey, but the veteran is still proving he can pack a punch and find the ball. He’s our pick to gather the most of it on the night.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/gold-coast-suns-v-collingwood-9367048">Touk Miller 30+ disposals</a>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Suns vs Collingwood Magpies Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Friday, July 11, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 7:40pm AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> People First Stadium, Gold Coast&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Channel 7, Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p>