Gary Ablett will make his long-awaited return to Metricon Stadium this Thursday as the SUNS prepare to host the reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs for the final week of the JLT Community Series.

The dual Brownlow medallist is expected to start in the forward line, having not played since round 16 last year and undergoing shoulder surgery shortly after. 

Jarryd Lyons is also a welcomed addition to the side, bolstering the midfield depth as Gold Coast look to make it three from three for the JLT Series.

It will be the first time the former Crow pulls on the red and gold, after missing the first two pre-season matches due to minor injury.

Captain Tom Lynch will also take his place in the forward 50 alongside Peter Wright, providing the SUNS another tall target.

Jarrod Witts, Matt Rosa, Aaron Hall and Jack Bowes  all come into the 27-man squad which will be trimmed to 24 on Thursday. 

Thursday’s match provides a final opportunity for players to state their case for a round 1 berth, with Rodney Eade sure to be watching intently.

Gold Coast SUNS Squad
JLT Rd4 v Western Bulldogs
4.50pm, Metricon Stadium

1 Pearce Hanley
2 Jarrad Grant
3 Matt Rosa
4 Jack Martin
6 Alex Sexton
8 Brayden Fiorini
9 Gary Ablett
10 Kade Kolodjashnij
11 Touk Miller
13 Callum AhChee
15 Dan Currie
16 Rory Thompson
17 Steven May ©
19 Tom Lynch ©
20 Michael Barlow
21 Jack Leslie
24 David Swallow
25 Jarryd Lyons
27 Ben Ainsworth
28 Jarrod Witts
29 Jack Bowes
30 Peter Wright
33 Aaron Hall
36 Josh Schoenfeld
38 Jesse Joyce
41 Will Brodie
42 Adam Saad

For the final week of the JLT Series, squads will be reduced to 24 players and usual time-on/time-off scenarios apply.