The Gold Coast SUNS have made three changes to the side that lost to West Coast last weekend, with Tom Lynch, Adam Saad and Luke Russell returning to face Collingwood at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
After coming in as the late inclusion against the Eagles, Greg Broughton has been omitted from Rodney Eade’s side, along with ruckman Zac Smith and midfielder Matt Shaw.
The injury plague that has wreaked havoc during the opening seven weeks of the season is beginning to subside, with the tide beginning to turn in Gold Coast’s favour.
“Fortunately we are starting to get some players back with Adam Saad and Tom Lynch back from injury – obviously very welcome inclusions. And Luke Russell who missed last week with illness,” Eade told SUNS TV on Thursday afternoon.
“It was probably a little bit unfortunate for Greg last week with the wet weather and Tom being injured. He was over there seeing his family and we needed a 24th player obviously with Luke’s illness as well.
“He was thrust into the fray, so he’ll certainly be better for the run and hopefully get his confidence up over the next couple of weeks.”
Mature-aged rookie Saad has been a revelation coming off half-back this season and his run and carry was sorely missed in Perth last weekend.
Despite his lack of experience at AFL level, Eade perceives Saad’s inclusion as a massive positive for the SUNS back six who battled to generate drive out of the back half of the ground against the Eagles.
“Last week we struggled to get the ball out of the back half at times, obviously the wet weather didn’t help us. A few younger players down there, we had four players who had played ten games or less so it was very inexperienced,” Eade said.
“Even though Adam’s in the same boat, he can break a line and he is a good kick. Hopefully his inclusion will be a positive influence coming out of the back 50.”
Russell was a late withdrawal from the SUNS 22 last weekend, but he has overcome illness and will play his second game of the season against the Magpies.
In-form mature-aged rookie Keegan Brooksby has been promoted to the primary list to replace Jarrod Garlett who is out for the remainder of the season following an ankle reconstruction. Brooksby has been named as emergency, as well as Andrew Boston and Broughton.
Round 8 AFL Premiership Team
B: A. Saad, H. Schade, K. Kolodjashnij
HB: J. Harbrow, J. Leslie, J. Lonergan
C: A. Raines, D. Prestia, A. Sexton
HF: A. Hall, T. Lynch, H. Bennell
F: D. Stanley, C. Dixon, T. Miller
R: T. Nicholls, M. Rischitelli, M. Hallahan
Inter: L. Russell, T. McKenzie, B. Matera, S. Lemmens
Emergencies: A. Boston, K. Brooksby, G. Broughton
In: A. Saad, T. Lynch, L. Russell
Out: G. Broughton (omit), M. Shaw (omit), Z. Smith (omit)
