A recession of injuries in the last fortnight may see another week of minimal changes at the selection table. Although, despite Gold Coast registering just their third win of 2015, Rodney Eade’s disappointment in his side’s performance may see some personnel changes for Sunday’s clash with Richmond.
 
Rory Thompson is an outside chance to return from an ankle injury that forced him to miss last weekend’s QClash win over Brisbane at the Gabba.
 
He will undergo a fitness assessment at Friday’s main training session and given Richmond’s forward line contains Jack Riewoldt, Tyrone Vickery and a resting ruckman in the form of Shaun Hampson or Ivan Maric, Eade will be require more height in defence.
 
Livewire forward Jarrod Garlett is now two games into his return from an ankle reconstruction and if his form last weekend in the NEAFL is anything to go by, he is ready to return to senior football.
 
Last year’s pick No. 15 was electric in the reserves 89-point win, collecting 18 possessions, six tackles and kicking three goals to put his hand up for another taste of AFL football.
 
Gold Coast’s makeshift midfield department has battled gallantly in recent weeks against difficult opposition. If the SUNS look to strengthen this area of the ground, Danny Stanley and Andrew Raines are in form, and have mature bodies to combat a tough Tigers engine room.
 
Stanley returned a fortnight ago from a medial ligament strain and has gathered plenty of the ball in the middle of the ground. In both games he has been named best on ground and on the weekend he collected 25 possessions and four inside 50s to push his case for a return to the SUNS 22.
 
Raines continued his consistent campaign with another reliable effort against Brisbane in Coorparoo last weekend. The veteran midfielder gathered 25 disposals, six clearances and five inside 50s to be one of Josh Fraser’s best players.
 
With Gold Coast’s two prong forward attack of Tom Lynch and Charlie Dixon in great form, it’s difficult to see the match committee bringing Peter Wright in at this stage despite his outstanding form on the weekend.
 
Wright was instrumental in the reserves big win, booting five goals from ten marks in an effort that demonstrated why he was taken so high in last year’s draft. His goal kicking from distance also stood out as he booted four of his goals from around 50 metres out to highlight his class.