Pacy defender Adam Saad headlines the list of inclusions to the Gold Coast SUNS squad to take on Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, a game in in which vice-captain Tom Lynch celebrates his 100th AFL appearance.

Saad last played senior football in round eight but has been passed fit after two weeks in the NEAFL, re-joining an in-form back six led by key pillars Steven May and Rory Thompson.

With Tom Nicholls sidelined through a PCL injury, Keegan Brooksby has received the nod ahead of Dan Currie to step into the vacant ruck role after solid form in the reserves.

“Dan’s only played two games in 14 weeks so we’ve gone with Keegan Brooksby this week, who’s had the game time behind him,” coach Rodney Eade told reporters at Metricon Stadium on Thursday.

“Keegan’s good at his craft, he’s a little bit undersized but he is a competitor. So we’re just looking for Keegan to compete well.”

Prolific midfielder Aaron Hall also looks set to play against the Bombers, named on an extended interchange bench. Clay Cameron and Seb Tape have also been included in the 25-man squad, while Alex Sexton will miss the trip south with a corked quad.

The squad will be trimmed to a final 22 at 5pm on Friday.

Round 21 AFL Premiership Squad


B: A. Saad, S. May, K. Kolodjashnij
HB: J. Harbrow, R. Thompson, J. Joyce
C: J. Schoenfeld, M. Hallahan, M. Shaw
HF: B. Matera, T. Lynch, J. Grant
F: S. Day, P. Wright, R. Davis
FOLL: K. Brooksby, J. Martin, T. Miller
INT (from): M. Rosa, C. Ah Chee, S. Lemmens, C. Cameron, A. Hall, J. Garlett, S. Tape

IN: K. Brooksby, A. Saad, C. Cameron, S. Tape, A. Hall
OUT: A. Sexton (quad), T. Nicholls (knee)