Harley Bennell will make his first appearance of the pre-season against the Brisbane Lions after being named in the Gold Coast SUNS extended 27-man NAB Challenge squad to play in Townsville on Sunday.
The 21-year-old trained strongly at Thursday’s main session, and will be a notable inclusion to the senior team after nursing a tight calf in recent weeks.
GC SUNS General Manager of Football Operations – Marcus Ashcroft, told goldcoastfc.com.au Bennell would be a welcomed addition.
“Harley has trained really well this week and the medical team believe he is ready to play” Ashcroft said.
In equally exciting news for footy fans in North Queensland, rookie-forward Josh Hall will play in front of his friends and family for the first time in Townsville. Hill impressed on Monday night, booting two-goals against the Bombers.
Karmichael Hunt, Tom Murphy, Luke Russell, Jackson Allen and Henry Schade are also a chance to make their return to competitive football after being named in the extended squad.
2013 Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett, Michael Rischitelli, Jaeger O’Meara, Trent McKenzie and David Swallow will be rested for the NAB Challenge match, with the club opting to manage their 2014 preparations.
Spearheads Charlie Dixon, Tom Lynch and Sam Day will again line up in the GC SUNS forward half on Sunday. The trio, who have played just nine AFL matches together in the GC SUNS 66 AFL matches impressed in attack against the Bombers on Monday night.
Gold Coast SUNS NAB Challenge Squad
3 Timmy Sumner
4 Jack Martin
5 Jarrod Harbrow
6 Alex Sexton
7 Karmichael Hunt
8 Luke Russell
11 Harley Bennell
12 Sam Day
14 Matthew Warnock
15 Daniel Gorringe
17 Steven May
19 Tom Lynch ©
20 Henry Schade
21 Jeremy Taylor
22 Tom Nicholls
23 Charlie Dixon
25 Danny Stanley
26 Matthew Shaw
27 Clay Cameron
29 Tom Murphy
31 Jackson Allen
32 Brandon Matera
33 Aaron Hall
36 Greg Broughton
37 Jesse Lonergan
40 Sean Lemmens
46 Josh Hall
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