Gold Coast skipper Tom Lynch is firming as a strong chance to lead the SUNS on to Metricon Stadium for the first time in 2018.
The key forward, who has missed the last three games with a knee injury, trained strongly on Monday and is pressing his case for selection against Geelong.
General Manager – Football Operations, Jon Haines, told the Alpha Sport Injury Update that Lynch is nearing the end of his rehabilitation period.
“It’s terrific. Tom trained really well yesterday and reported that he’s feeling as good as he’s felt in a long while,” he said.
“That’s a really strong tick for the rehab that he’s been undertaking and subject to him getting through training today and tomorrow, he’ll be right to play on the weekend."
A hamstring injury to wingman Matt Rosa in Gold Coast’s last game before the bye could see him miss the next month of football.
The 31-year-old was a late inclusion for the SUNS against Port Adelaide, however was unable to see out the match after suffering the injury in the second term.
“It looks like a 3-4 week injury at the moment but given his history, we’ll take a reasonably conservative approach with that,” Haines said.
Young midfielder Brayden Fiorini’s stint in rehab has been extended, having experienced a setback in his recovery from a leg injury.
“He had some irritation with the tibial oedema that he had, so he went back in and the surgeon has had a look at it and just removed some really small spurs from the area,” Haines said.
“That’s extended his rehabilitation period from 4-6 weeks to 6-8 weeks.
“Unfortunate for Brayden, but we’re really glad we’ve been able to get onto it early and set him up for the back half of the year.”
A number of other SUNS will be aiming to move out of the rehab group this week and put their hand up for selection.
Local product Jesse Joyce has recovered well from the corked quad that has forced him to miss the past two games, while Jesse Lonergan is back into full training.
Should they get through training unscathed, both players will be available to play at some level this weekend.
“Jesse (Joyce) missed last week due to a cork but he’s been recovering really well,” Haines said.
“(Lonergan) undertaken a similar period of rehabilitation to Tom (Lynch) and a similar program, and he’s tracking really well.
“Subject to him getting through training tomorrow, he should be available for selection.”
Sean Lemmens, who on Friday penned a contract extension with the SUNS, is nearing a return to the field after an injury interrupted start to the season.
The small forward was showing some impressive signs during the pre-season, before a fractured wrist halted his momentum.
“He needs to have another scan today to confirm that the healing is at a satisfactory level,” Haines said.
“If the healing has occurred, as we’re really hopeful that it has, he’ll be available for selection this weekend.”
