UTILITY Jared Brennan has been given the green light to run out against the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon with the star midfielder passed fit by the club’s medical team and high performance staff after suffering a concussion during the side’s historic 60-point victory over Melbourne at the MCG last Sunday.

The news wasn’t as good for veteran defender Tom Murphy, with General Manager of Football Operations Marcus Ashcroft telling goldcoastfc.com.au the reliable backman had been ruled out the Round 8 clash after failing a series of fitness tests during the week.

“Tom and Jared both suffered heavy head-knocks in last weekend’s match against Melbourne, and throughout the week both players completed a series of tests under the guidance of our club doctor,” Ashcroft said.

“Unfortunately in Tom’s case he hasn’t recovered to the stage where he is deemed fit to play against the Western Bulldogs this week.

But Ashcroft believes there is light at the end of the tunnel for Murphy, with the former Hawk likely to be available next weekend for the side’s Round 9 clash against Hawthorn at the MCG.

 “We envisage that Tom will have recovered fully next week and be available for senior selection for our match against his former team at the MCG.”

Murphy’s exit has opened another window of opportunity for Luke Russell who has been named in the 22-man senior team after earning a spot on the interchange bench.

Ashcroft saying Russell’s speed and chase around the ground would be a welcomed inclusion for the Gold Coasters, with the Bulldog’s boasting a handful of dangerous small forwards and backs in Robert Murphy, Daniel Giansiracusa, Luke Dahlhaus and Brett Goodes.

“Luke has been recalled to our senior side for his fifth match this season,” Ashcroft said.

“He travelled with the team to Melbourne last week as our emergency and was one of our best players in the NEAFL against Southport the previous week.”

Sam Day is set to be given more of a key defensive role this week, after being named Full Back in Murphy’s absence alongside Trent McKenzie and Danny Stanley.

Campbell Brown, Tom Lynch and Zac Smith will also be likely to receive plenty of the football inside-50 for the SUNS, after the star trio ran riot around the goals last week in their combined 8-goal contribution on the scoreboard. 

Project ruckman Tom Nicholls is edging closer towards tasting senior football action again, after he was named as an emergency alongside NEAFL teammates Clay Cameron and Timmy Sumner.

ROUND 8 AFL Premiership Senior Team
B: T. McKenzie, S. Day, D. Stanley
HB: D. Swallow, R. Thompson, G. Broughton
C: M. Shaw, G. Ablett, J. Harbrow
HF: H. Bennell, T. Lynch, J. Lonergan
F: B. Matera, S. May, A. Hall
R: Z. Smith, J. O’Meara, D. Prestia

INT: J. Hutchins, C. Brown, J. Brennan, L. Russell

Emergencies: T. Nicholls, C. Cameron and T. Sumner

In: L. Russell
Out: Murphy (Concussion)