The Gold Coast SUNS reserves will be bolstered by a number of Queensland Under 18 representatives for Saturday’s clash against local rivals Brisbane at the Gabba.

Nick Kempe, Jacob Dawson, Curtis Marsden, Brodie Foster, Jaicob Kenny, Shawn Watson, Harry Simington, Connor West and Jesse Esam were all part of the state squad which won two of its three games in division two of the national championships in May.

Kempe was named in an extended 33-man Allies squad to compete in the division one championships and will play off a half-back flank for the SUNS.

The team features just four listed players, all in their first year with the club. Josh Schoenfeld will start on-ball, Cam Loersch at centre-half-forward while rookies Tom Keough and Jesse Joyce will lead Gold Coast’s backline.

Captain Jamason Daniels also returns from injury.


Round 9 NEAFL Team

B: J. Dawson (A), B. Kaufman, T. Keough,
HB: J. Joyce, L. Ritchie, N. Kempe (A)
C: C. West (A), J. Kenny (A), C. Marsden (A)
HF: B. Foster (A), C. Loersch, S. Watson (A)
F: S. Donnelly, I. Franks, H. Simington (A)
FOLL: B. Crossley (A), J. Daniels, J. Schoenfeld
INT (from): J. Karwan, A. Dawson (A), J. Esam (A), J. Moffa, R. Lefeuvre (A)