Will the SUNS match committee wield the axe after a disappointing round one loss to Brisbane, or will they keep the faith with a team that played three solid quarters of footy but fell just short? There’s likely to be a lot of discussion at the selection table this week ahead of Gold Coast’s round two clash against GWS in Sydney.

Positively, there were no injuries to come out of Saturday night’s game, but there will be at least one change with recruit Pearce Hanley travelling to his home in Ireland for family reasons.

Matt Shaw was the primary emergency in round one, withdrawn from the NEAFL practice match after one quarter. The foundation SUN shapes as a possible like-for-like swap for Hanley, given his ability to provide hard outside run off the half back line or on a wing.

David Swallow is another possible inclusion, with the West Australian a late withdrawal from the round one side after rolling an ankle at training. If the 2014 Club Champion can get through Thursday’s main training session, expect him to be named to face the Giants. He will be tested by club medical staff later this week.

Others to impress in the NEAFL practice match were inside midfielders Jesse Lonergan, Mitch Hallahan and top 10 draftee Will Brodie, while Jack Leslie was rock-solid down back.

Classy ball user Brayden Fiorini demonstrated ability to play at senior level in round 23 last season, collecting 32-disposals and a Brownlow votes in what was just his second AFL game.

Experienced defender Jarrod Harbrow played his second game in the NEAFL on the comeback trail from injury and will come into calculations if the high performance staff are satisfied he has enough K’s in the legs. Trent McKenzie also played his first game after missing the entire pre-season series and may need at least another week in the reserves to build his conditioning.