Fantastic news not only for the Gold Coast SUNS but for AFL fans across  Far North Queensland today with GC SUNS  captain Gary Ablett named to lead the Gold Coast into battle against the Richmond Tigers in Cairns on Saturday.

Ablett underwent a series of tests on the injured calf which forced the star midfielder to miss the side’s QCLASH 6 match against Brisbane last weekend.

The skipper ran solidly alongside the rest of the senior squad at Wednesday’s main training session, and was officially given the green light by the club’s medical staff this morning. 

GC SUNS General Manager of Football Operations – Marcus Ashcroft, said Ablett’s return would give the side a significant boost of confidence when they board the flight out of Coolangatta Airport on Friday.

“With Gary we were always confident he would only be out for one week,” he exclusively told goldcoastfc.com.au.

“He was put through his paces on Wednesday and pulled up well this morning so he will come straight back into the side to play against Richmond this Saturday.

Just as significant for the Gold Coast is the return of Seb Tape. 

Tape will make his long-awaited return to McKenna’s back-six more than twelve months after an ACL injury ended his 2012 campaign, while elevated-rookie Josh Hall will make his first AFL appearance for 2013 after being named at full-forward.

“We’ve got a lot of admiration for Seb given the fact he has returned from a year-long knee injury,” Ashcroft said.

“He has played five games in the NEAFL and has played really well, so he’s deserved his chance to come back into the senior side and we look forward to seeing him run out on Saturday afternoon.”

23-year-old Hall, who hails from the North Queensland region, has been playing a class above in the NEAFL under Shaun Hart, and will be eager to run out in front of his friends and family in Cairns after making his debut match at Cazaly’s Stadium against the Tigers last year. 

“Josh played his debut match against Richmond this time last year, and has been one of those players that has done the hard work in the reserves and played consistently well under the Reserve’s coaching staff,” said Ashcroft.

“He has earned his spot and we know we need to support Tom Nicholls as much as we can in the ruck and Josh has the ability to pinch in the centre circle.

“So his inclusion will be valuable for us.”

Joel Wilkinson and Timmy Sumner are expected to line-up against Aspley with the NEAFL SUNS this weekend, as the omitted Gold Coasters look towards earning a senior recall, while Daniel Gorringe will miss with a shoulder injury.

ROUND 16 AFL Premiership Senior Team
B: T. McKenzie, S. Day, S. Tape
HB: G. Broughton, R. Thompson, T. Murphy
C: M. Shaw, G. Ablett, D. Stanley
HF: J. Harbrow, S. May, A. Hall
F: C. Brown, J. Hall, L. Russell
R: T. Nicholls, D. Swallow, J. O’Meara

INT: D. Prestia, J. Brennan, H. Bennell, A. Boston

Emergencies: M. Weller, J. Wilkinson, A. Sexton

In: J. Hall, G. Ablett, S. Tape
Out: J. Wilkinson (omitted), T. Sumner (omitted), D. Gorringe (shoulder)