The Gold Coast SUNS have made four changes to the side that narrowly lost to Fremantle a fortnight ago, with a host of first choice players returning to face Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Steven May, Harley Bennell, Sam Day and Alex Sexton all return to Rodney Eade’s side after overcoming injury, whilst Danny Stanley is the only forced change due to a medial ligament strain. Clay Cameron, Jack Leslie and Peter Wright have all been omitted from the side travelling to Melbourne.

The injury curse that decimated the SUNS during the first half of the season finally appears to be diminishing with the return of four players who were picked in round one.

Due to the dire state of injury affairs at Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast has been forced to play a staggering 40 players across the opening eleven rounds of the season. In comparison, premiership fancies Fremantle and Sydney have played just 27 players each to highlight the importance of continuity.

Round 13 AFL Premiership Team

B: H. Schade, T. McKenzie, J. Harbrow
HB: K. Kolodjashnij, S. May, A. Saad
C: L. Russell, T. Miller, J. Lonergan
HF: A. Boston, T. Lynch, H. Bennell
F: B. Matera, C. Dixon, S. Day
R: T. Nicholls, M. Rischitelli, M. Hallahan
Interchange: A. Sexton, N. Malceski, A. Raines, S. Lemmens

Emergencies: J. Leslie, M. Shaw, P. Wright

IN: S. May, S. Day, A. Sexton, H. Bennell
OUT: D. Stanley (Knee), C. Cameron (Omitted). J. Leslie (Omitted), P. Wright (Omitted)