Gold Coast SUNS young gun Jesse Lonergan will make his AFL comeback in his home state this Saturday, with the recalled midfielder named to play against Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium.
It’s been a long road back to the AFL for the 19-year-old Tasmanian, with hamstring and wrist injuries conspiring to restrict him from hitting the ground running in his first two seasons on the Gold Coast.
His inclusion marks the only forced change to the senior team, with Lonergan replacing an injured Brandon Matera (groin).
Lonergan’s last senior game came against the Hawks in round nine last year, before lingering hamstring problems saw the club’s medical staff opt to put the strong-bodied youngster on ice for the remainder of the 2013 season.
Now back to full fitness and having found form with the Gold Coast SUNS NEAFL team, the 2012 first-round pick is ready to recommence his fledging football career.
GC SUNS General Manager – Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft, told goldcoastfc.com.au Lonergan was ready to make his mark at AFL level.
“He has performed strongly in recent weeks with our NEAFL team and thoroughly deserves his elevation to the senior team,” Ashcroft said.
“We are confident Jesse has the conditioning and form behind him to make an impact against the Hawks this weekend.”
Lonergan has been named on the SUNS interchange bench alongside Alex Sexton, Danny Stanley and David Swallow.
Excitingly, Jack Martin has been rewarded with a starting place, with the teenage speedster named to play on the half-forward flank following his impressive 15-posession, six-tackle performance after coming back from a shoulder injury against Geelong last weekend.
Round 15 AFL Premiership Team
B: K. Kolodjashnij, S. May, G. Broughton
HB: M. Shaw, R. Thompson, T. McKenzie
C: J. Harbrow, G. Ablett, M. Rischitelli
HF: J. Martin, T. Lynch, H. Bennell
F: C. Dixon, S. Day, L. Russell
R: Z Smith, J. O’Meara, D. Prestia
INT: A. Sexton, D. Stanley, J. Lonergan, D. Swallow
Emergency: M. Warnock, C. Cameron, S. Lemmens
In: Lonergan
Out: Matera (groin)
