The casualty ward at the Gold Coast SUNS is beginning to look less grim with Harley Bennell, Tom Lynch and Adam Saad all set to play against Collingwood at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
In a season that has continued to throw up challenge after challenge, especially via injury, it’s no mean feat that the tide is starting to turn.
One of the good news stories to come out of the SUNS' disappointing loss to the Eagles in Perth was the injury escape by Bennell. The game-breaking midfielder was one of Gold Coast’s best players before spending the final quarter on the bench with ice strapped to his leg after a knock to his knee.
“Harley suffered a bit of a knock to the fat pad on his knee. We are very confident that he’ll be okay. He will train Thursday and the medical staff feel that he won’t have too many issues and he will complete training and be available for selection,” GC SUNS High Performance Manager, Matthew Kennedy, told SUNS TV on Tuesday afternoon.
Spearhead Lynch was a late withdrawal from the clash against the Eagles after failing a fitness test at Domain Stadium on the eve of the game. Lynch is battling a persistent calf complaint but Kennedy is confident the key forward will be available for Saturday night’s clash against the Magpies.
“Tom Lynch trained with the rehab group today and we’re hopeful after an extended warm-up on Thursday. He will be okay to train and be up for selection against the Magpies on Saturday night,” Kennedy said.
“He’s still got a little bit there, but we’re confident he’ll get himself up for the game on the weekend.”
In better news, dashing defender Saad is set to make a return from a minor hamstring strain that forced him to miss the trip to Perth last weekend. The mature-aged rookie has taken the competition by storm in his debut season and his return would help bolster the back six.
“Adam Saad is progressing nicely after his hamstring injury that he suffered a couple of weeks ago. He’ll train Thursday after an extended warm-up and we’re hopeful that he will come up for the game this weekend,” Kennedy said.
Prized recruit Nick Malceski is closing in on a return to full fitness, with his knee problems almost behind him. The All Australian defender succumbed to a persistent knee issue three weeks ago, but after undergoing a strength orientated rehabilitation program, Kennedy is confident that Malceski will return in the next fortnight.
“Nick Malceski’s progressing really well. He’s trained really well the last week or so, he’ll be introduced into selected drills on Thursday with the main group. We are confident, as is he, that he’ll be playing in some form in a couple of weeks time,” Kennedy said.
“He’s been fantastic in the way he’s approached his rehab. He’s got some really good strength throughout his whole and in particularly his leg.”
Optomo Injury Report: Round Eight
One of the good news stories to come out of the SUNS' disappointing loss to the Eagles in Perth was the injury escape by Harley Bennell.
