Gold Coast SUNS speedsters Aaron Hall and Sean Lemmens will make their return to the AFL this Saturday, with the dynamic duo named to play against Collingwood at Metricon Stadium.
Hall’s round sixteen selection follows his stand-out performance with the Gold Coast NEAFL team last weekend, where his 28-possession, three-goal display saw him awarded best-on-ground honours against Redland at Casheezi Park.
The 23-year-old Tasmanian was delegated to the reserves in round 14 after battling for consistency, but General Manager - Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft, told goldcoastfc.com.au Hall had earned a senior recall.
“Aaron turned in a best-on-ground performance in the NEAFL last weekend, and has worked hard to reclaim his position following his omission from the senior team,” Ashcroft said.
“His speed and chase off the ball is a great strength in helping lock the ball inside our forward 50.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming him back into the side.”
First-year gun Lemmens has continued to establish himself as a versatile long-term option for the SUNS, and reclaims his spot in the back-half alongside Rory Thompson and Trent McKenzie.
“Sean is enjoying a terrific first season in the AFL, and we’re confident he can return seamlessly and cover a key role out of defence,” Ashcroft said.
Unfortunately the news isn’t as good for Luke Russell and Matt Shaw, with both players omitted to make way for Hall and Lemmens.
Jack Martin, Jesse Lonergan, Alex Sexton and former Magpie Danny Stanley have been named on the interchange bench.
Meantime, reliable defender Greg Broughton will play his 100th AFL game against the Magpies on Saturday.
Round 16 AFL Premiership Team
B: K. Kolodjashnij, S. May, G. Broughton
HB: S. Lemmens, R. Thompson, T. McKenzie
C: J. Harbrow, G. Ablett, M. Rischitelli
HF: D. Swallow, T. Lynch, H. Bennell
F: C. Dixon, S. Day, A. Hall
R: Z Smith, J. O’Meara, D. Prestia
INT: J. Martin, D. Stanley, J. Lonergan, A. Sexton
Emergency: L. Russell, M. Shaw, T. Murphy
In: Lemmens, A. Hall
Out: Russell, Shaw (Omit)
