As predicted by goldcoastfc.com.au, wholesale changes have been made by the Match Committee ahead of Round 20.
Gold Coast superstar Gary Ablett will return against Fremantle on Saturday and is one of six changes to an injury-hit SUNS’ line-up.
In equally exciting news, skipper Steven May also makes his return from a hamstring complaint, a welcomed inclusion for Rodney Eade and the SUNS’ traveling back-six.
As revealed in this week’s Optomo Injury Report, a host of SUNS will miss the trip over to the West due to injury, including in-form ruckman Jarrod Witts (shoulder), Ben Ainsworth (knee), Brayden Fiorini (hamstring) and Callum Ah Chee (shoulder).
Michael Rischitelli will be managed this week, with the foundation SUN having played three consecutive games since making his return from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament against Collingwood in round 17.
Dan Currie gets his first opportunity for the season as he replaces Witts in the centre square, while inside midfielder Mitch Hallahan has also been named for the first time in 2017.
He’ll start from the interchange bench alongside Alex Sexton, David Swallow and Max Spencer.
Josh Schoenfeld and Trent McKenzie have also earned a senior recall.
Jesse Lonergan has been omitted from the senior team, joining Jarrad Grant and Jack Bowes as emergencies.
Round 20 AFL Premiership Team
B: J. Harbrow, S. May, J. Scrimshaw
HB: J. Joyce, T. McKenzie, A. Saad
C: A. Hall, G. Ablett, M. Rosa
HF: J. Schoenfeld, T. Lynch, S. Lemmens
F: D. Macpherson, P. Wright, J. Martin
FOLL: D. Currie, T. Miller, P. Hanley
INT: A. Sexton, D. Swallow, M. Spencer, M. Hallahan
EMG: J. Grant, J. Lonergan, J. Bowes
IN: G. Ablett, S. May, D. Currie, J. Schoenfeld, T. McKenzie, M. Hallahan
OUT: M. Rischitelli, B. Fiorini, C. Ah Chee, B. Ainsworth, J. Witts, J. Lonergan
