The Gold Coast SUNS have made wholesale changes at the selection table for the first time this season following the club’s disappointing 13-point loss to Brisbane in QClash 11.
As reported earlier on goldcoastfc.com.au, ruckman Dan Currie will make his SUNS debut against his former side, North Melbourne, at Metricon Stadium this Saturday.
READ: Currie on the Round 5 menu
Former Western Bulldog Jarrad Grant will also make his club debut after kicking seven goals in the reserves last week while Peter Wright joins him to add height given Steven May (suspension) and Keegan Brooksby (omitted) make way from the round four team.
“Jarrad’s come back from that broken thumb, he’s had three or four now in the reserves, kicked seven last week so he’s starting to get back to full fitness,” coach Rodney Eade told goldcoastfc.com.au.
“He’s a very smart player so hopefully he can give our forward line an injection.
“Obviously with our height being eroded in defense, Sam Day’s an option to go down there, Pete [Wright] can play down there as the second ruck as well but his form’s been good, Peter, but he needs to make a stand on Saturday.”
Trent McKenzie also returns after suffering a broken nose in Gold Coast’s round three win while fellow foundation SUN, Luke Russell, comes in for his first senior appearance of 2016 after collecting 35 disposals and kicking two goals in the NEAFL last week.
Unfortunately the SUNS midfield has been dealt a damaging blow, with midfielder Dion Prestia to miss the game with illness.
Elevated rookie Ryan Davis has been rested while Tom Nicholls has been omitted and will play in the NEAFL in Townsville on Saturday.
Round 5 AFL Premiership team
B: M. Rosa, S. Day, A. Saad
HB: A. Sexton, T. McKenzie, K. Kolodjashnij
C: N. Malceski, G. Ablett, J. Harbrow
HF: C. Cameron, T. Lynch, J. Martin
F: T. Miller, P. Wright, J. Grant
FOLL: D. Currie, M. Rischitelli, A. Hall
INT: L. Russell, C. Ah Chee, S. Lemmens, J. Lonergan
EMG: H. Schade, B. Matera, M. Willis
IN: D. Currie, J. Grant, L. Russell, T. McKenzie, P. Wright
OUT: R. Davis (rested), S. May (suspension), D. Prestia (illness), T. Nicholls (omitted), K. Brooksby (omitted)
