The injury curse that swept through the club in the first half of the season appears to have finally climbed over the summit and begun the trek down the mountain. An influx of previously injured stars are now available for selection, with the match committee to determine who requires time in the NEAFL before returning to Rodney Eade’s side.
 
Now that the bye has come and gone, the home and away season is on the back nine. For the Gold Coast SUNS, an opportunity presents to earn back some respect after an underwhelming beginning to 2015. And with quality and experience set to resume duty, Gold Coast will be looking to earn four premiership points under the lid at Etihad Stadium against Carlton on Sunday.
 
The will he-won’t he play debate has dominated discussion all week. The he is obviously Gary Ablett and the question still hasn’t been confirmed with the champion midfielder considered a strong chance to face the Blues after overcoming complications with his shoulder.
 
With such an inexperienced side for the best part of 2015, and a midfield department missing four or five of their best players, Ablett’s return could continue to build the momentum that was created in the effort against Fremantle in round eleven.
 
Key defender Steven May and Harley Bennell have been all but guaranteed to return to the 22 after missing the Dockers game due to injury. May’s stop-start campaign is set to be rebooted after overcoming an adductor strain that forced him to be substituted out of the loss to Sydney in round ten.
 
David Swallow is another set to return to action this weekend after last playing in round four against Greater Western Sydney. The tough onballer suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury in the loss and has since missed seven games. Eade said on Wednesday that the match committee would determine the most suitable pathway for his return, whether that is through the NEAFL or straight back into the seniors.

Utility Alex Sexton is also set to return following the completion of his rehabilitation from a hip flexor injury. Sexton missed the two games before the bye after suffering the injury against Hawthorn and could come straight back into the seniors given his strong form prior to the injury.

Versatile key position player Sam Day is a chance to return to face Carlton after he made a successful comeback in the NEAFL prior to the bye. Day gathered 17 possessions and five marks against Redland in his first game back from a dislocated elbow. After such a lengthy absence, the match committee may prefer to give Day more time in the NEAFL, especially given the depth in the key posts at both ends of the ground at the moment.
 
Zac Smith did his chances of a recall to Eade’s side no harm in the reserves loss to Redland before the bye. The ruckman was one of Josh Fraser’s best players, collecting 32 hitouts, 22 possessions and seven clearances to put his hand up for a return to the seniors for the first time since round seven.