Gold Coast has made two changes ahead of Saturday’s QClash, with Luke Russell and Clay Cameron to make their senior return against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
As expected, Kade Kolodjashnij and Trent McKenzie have missed the 22 due to hamstring injuries, while Tom Murphy will serve a one-match ban for a misconduct offence.
A stand-out performance in the NEAFL allowed Russell to reclaim his spot in the senior squad, with the Tasmanian utility named at half-forward alongside Tom Lynch and Harley Bennell.
Cameron also makes his AFL comeback in this weekend’s Queensland derby, with the former Brisbane Lions Academy player a welcome addition to McKenna’s back-six.
“Clay has performed in recent weeks and deserves his senior call-up.”
Midfielder Dion Prestia has been handed the captaincy duties in the absence of skipper Gary Ablett.
Round 18 AFL Premiership Team
B: C. Cameron, S. May, G. Broughton
HB: S. Lemmens, R. Thompson, J. Harbrow
C: J. Martin, D. Stanley, M. Shaw
HF: L. Russell, T. Lynch, H. Bennell
F: C. Dixon, S. Day, A. Hall
R: Z Smith, D. Swallow, D. Prestia
INT: J. O’Meara, M. Rischitelli , J. Lonergan, A. Sexton
Emergencies: D. Gorringe, H. Schade, L. Herbert
In: Cameron, Russell
Out: Kolodjashnij (hamstring), Murphy (suspension)
