It's been almost 10 years to the day since Gary Ablett's shoulder injury spoiled what was shaping as Gold Coast's breakout AFL season.
Third after 10 rounds and still inside the eight after 16 rounds, they won just once more after Ablett was injured and finished 12th. Coach Guy McKenna was subsequently sacked.
It's a moment burned into foundation Suns members like Bodhi Uwland, who was only 10 at the time.
In their 14th AFL season, the Suns are still hunting a maiden finals appearance. Damien Hardwick's side are 6-5 and a win outside the top eight in his first campaign as coach.
"I've seen a lot of things," half back Uwland told AAP ahead of Sunday's match against Essendon.
"That's something I fully understand, how the fans feel.
"Back 10 years ago they were going well ... then that (Ablett) injury.
"Being on that edge for so long. Now I'm here, I want to do everything I can to help us go over that edge to make finals and contend for premierships."
Uwland has been one of Hardwick's projects this season, promoted then returned to the VFL for two weeks, where he was challenged to attack out of defence.
He's back in the top side now and confident of providing that impetus in what shapes as another crucial moment in club history against the second-placed Bombers.
"If we can go 7-5, it's going to set us up," the 20-year-old said.
"Dimma (Hardwick) and the other coaches have given me a lot of confidence with my ball use.
"I'm backing myself to want the ball in my hands a bit more, put myself in trickier situations; support the contest a bit stronger, rather than worrying too much about my direct opponent.
"It's how we want to play the game."
The Suns weren't able to call the shots in last week's tough loss to Carlton in Melbourne, with their vaunted midfield outplayed in a 29-point loss.
While unbeaten at Carrara and their Darwin home base in six games this year, Gold Coast's Marvel Stadium loss was their 12th-straight away from those venues.
Hardwick said the Bombers were "well and truly in the mix" under coach Brad Scott.
"He's got them playing a style of game is instantly recognisable," he said.
"That's the measure of a good side ... they do what they do, we all know it, but they do it better than anyone else."
Gold Coast will welcome back Sam Flanders from illness while Ned Moyle comes in for ruckman and co-captain Jarrod Witts (hamstring).
The Bombers have their own virus dramas, while last week's debutant Nate Caddy so far the only casualty.
