Gold Coast’s NEAFL side managed a stunning come-from-behind win over the Giants on Saturday due in no small part to the contributions of three SUNS returning from injury.

Coach Nick Malceski told SUNS TV the injection of Brayden Fiorini, Pearce Hanley and Michael Barlow into the side provided a spark and much-needed leadership to get the side over the line in a gritty two-point victory.

“They all spent different times out, Pearce was out for 13 weeks, Fiorini was out for 11 and Mick was out for six weeks,” Malceski said.

“Credit to them, they’ve been in rehab for a long time and they persevered and did everything possible right.

“They had great leadership in the team and really helped out our younger brigade in the Academy and were able to play a good game of footy, all of them.”

Fiorini showed no signs of his 11-week absence on the field, dominating in the midfield with 36 disposals, two goals and a monster effort of 12 tackles.

Barlow was also influential with his 45 disposals, nine marks and eight tackles, while Hanley (31 disposals) found plenty of the footy as well.

The trio are set to be joined in the NEAFL this week by another three SUNS ready to return from injury layoffs in Jack Bowes (quad), Ben Ainsworth (lower leg) and Matt Rosa (hamstring).

They’re big inclusions for what will be a mammoth match against an in-form Sydney outfit which has won its last nine NEAFL games straight.

“They (Sydney) always find a way, it’s going to be a real contest,” Malceski said.

“(We’ll be) trying to stop their ball movement, they’re pretty aggressive through the corridor so we’ll try and implement some things to stop them that way.

“Hopefully we match up well against them this week.”

NEAFL ROUND 16

Sydney Swans (1st) v Gold Coast SUNS (8th) at SCG, 10.30am
*This match will be streamed live on NEAFL TV - Click here to view
*Live Champion Data statistics on the Official NEAFL App