EXCITING youngster Alex Sexton will make his first AFL appearance for 2013, Guy McKenna naming the midfield hopeful in his top 22 this week after a string of stand-out performances in the Gold Coast SUNS NEAFL team. 

The 19-year-old Queenslander hasn’t been seen in McKenna’s senior team since Round 14 against the Western Bulldogs last year, having played six consecutive matches at the top grade before injury struck – forcing the teenager to watch on from the sidelines for the remainder of the 2012 Premiership Season.

After finding form under Shaun Hart in the NEAFL competition, GC SUNS General Manager of Football Operations Marcus Ashcroft said Sexton had earned another opportunity to showcase his talents on the AFL stage. 

“Alex has had some injuries over the last year that have held him back but his form of late, in particularly his last three weeks, have been at a high level,” Ashcroft told goldcoastfc.com.au.

“We always knew that he would get a chance at some stage and we were looking forward to it because we know he can play at the elite level so hopefully he goes well.”

Maverick Weller also receives another opportunity after being named on the interchange bench after successive weeks in the seconds, and Ashcroft is equally excited for 182cm utility player.

“Maverick got a game a few weeks ago and performed well with our group,” he said.

“To his credit, he continued to keep his head up and play the level of footy we know he is capable of, so he has earned his spot again.”

While Sexton and Weller will be in high spirits are earning the senior recall, unfortunately the same cannot be said for David Swallow (knee) and Tom Murphy (omitted), with both key players set to miss this weekend’s Round 17 encounter against Collingwood at Metricon Stadium.

Swallow has been ruled out of action with a knee injury sustained in the side’s nine-point loss to Richmond last Saturday, while Murphy will be given a run through the NEAFL as he looks to regain the form that made him such a valuable recruit for the Gold Coast. 

“Unfortunately for Murphy he has been omitted due to poor form,” Ashcroft said.

“We’ve spoken in recent weeks on the expectations needed to play in the senior team.

“Murphy will go down to the NEAFL, which will give him the chance to rebuild some confidence and position him better for a senior recall.”

Livewire Jarrod Harbrow has been shifted into the team’s defensive zone, with McKenna likely hoping the North Queenslander can provide strong run and carry into the midfield, while Andrew Boston will take his place around goals after being named alongside Steven May and Aaron Hall at half-forward. 

ROUND 17 AFL Premiership Senior Team
B: T. McKenzie, S. Day, S. Tape
HB: G. Broughton, R. Thompson, J. Harbrow
C: M. Shaw, G. Ablett, L. Russell
HF: A. Boston, S. May, A. Hall
F: C. Brown, J. Hall, J. Brennan
R: T. Nicholls, D. Stanley, J. O’Meara

INT: D. Prestia, M. Weller, H. Bennell, A. Sexton

Emergencies: J. Gillbee, M. Weller, T. Murphy

In: Weller, Sexton

Out: Swallow (knee), Murphy (omit)