A backflip by Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna has paved the way for code hopper Karmichael Hunt to make a surprise return in their VFL clash with the Bendigo Bombers in Cairns on Saturday.

McKenna had said as recently as Sunday that Hunt would be rested from the far north Queensland showdown.

According to GCFC, Hunt's enthusiasm caused McKenna to change his mind.

A club spokesman said on Thursday Hunt's "enthusiasm and impressive ability to cope with the physical demands of his new sport forced a re-think at the selection table".

"He's told us he's happiest learning out there on the ground, and with his physical development probably ahead of where we expected it to be we're keen to give him every opportunity to learn and perform," McKenna said.

But reports from the tropical north claimed on Thursday that AFL Cairns vice-president Gordon Dixon - whose son Charlie plays for the Gold Coast - "helped persuade" McKenna to play Hunt.

More than 3,000 people are tipped to pack the Cazalys ground in Cairns, which is expected to host a GCFC home game in their debut AFL season in 2011.

Their revamped home ground at Carrara is expected to be available from round 11 next season.

Hunt will start in defence in his fourth game for the club.

He had been due to move into the midfield in his next appearance after playing the last two games at full-back but clearly that decision has also been put on ice.

Meanwhile, GCFC will reportedly be known as the Gold Coast Suns, after it emerged the league had bought the expansion club's website address under that name.

The league's IT staff in May reportedly reserved names for the AFL, including gcsuns.com.au, goldcoastsuns.com and goldcoastsuns.com.au.

Their guernseys are expected to don the same GC emblem, only with a sun rising behind it.

GCFC will officially reveal their name, jumper and theme song next Thursday.

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