Ruckmen Daniel Gorringe and Tom Nicholls will both be given until the eleventh hour to push forth their case for senior selection, with both big-men named in a 25-man extended squad ahead of the Gold Coast SUNS clash at the G’ against Hawthorn this Sunday.
The duo’s opportunity comes on the back of some solid form in the NEAFL competition and following the news in-form Ruck Zac Smith will miss the remainder of the AFL season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the 206cm giant requiring reconstructive surgery after being substituted at half time in the GC SUNS 32 point win over the Western Bulldogs.
GC SUNS General Manager of Football Operations Marcus Ashcroft said Gorringe and Nicholls had earned a spot on the extended interchange, and was confident either ruckman would perform a quality job in the centre circle if called on for Sundays match.
“At this stage both Daniel and Tom remain a strong chance of being selected in the senior team,” said Ashcroft.
“They have both been named in the extended senior squad, and a final decision will be made tomorrow afternoon when the extended interchange is trimmed from seven players to four.”
Meanwhile, the Gold Coast has also be dealt a blow on the eve of their Indigenous Round showdown against the Hawks with the indigenous star Harley Bennell left out of the travelling party after failing to overcome a hamstring complaint.
“Harley felt some discomfort in his hamstring following last week’s victory against the Western Bulldogs.”
“Our medical team have treated Harley throughout the week in a bid to have him available for Sunday’s match, but unfortunately he failed to train with the team on Thursday and we made the decision that he would be unavailable for selection this week.
“We believe he will be available for selection ahead of next week’s match against Geelong.”
Defender Tom Murphy will be welcomed back in defence after missing the side’s 32-point victory over the Western Bulldogs on the Gold Coast, while Rory Thompson is set to face his biggest challenge this season with the emerging defensive-stopper a likely opponent for the game’s best power forward in Lance Franklin.
Thompson will enter the match with an edge over code’s best forward, after keeping Franklin scoreless in the Gold Coast’s thrilling one-point victory over the southern AFL rival in their NAB Cup opener at Metricon Stadium.
Joel Wilkinson is also once again in the mix for senior selection after being on the extended interchange following his superb return to competitive football through the NEAFL against Morningside last week.
ROUND 9 AFL Premiership Senior Team
B: T. McKenzie, J. Hutchins, D. Stanley
HB: D. Swallow, R. Thompson, T. Murphy
C: M. Shaw, G. Ablett, J. Harbrow
HF: G. Broughton, T. Lynch, J. Lonergan
F: C. Brown, S. May, A. Hall
R: S. Day, J. O’Meara, D. Prestia
INT: D. Gorringe, B. Matera, J. Brennan, L. Russell, T. Nicholls, K. Horsley, J. Wilkinson
In: T. Murphy, D. Gorringe, K. Horsley, T. Nicholls, J. Wilkinson
Out: Z. Smith (knee), H. Bennell (hamstring)
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Gorringe and Nicholls chance for Hawks at G’clash
Ruckmen Daniel Gorringe and Tom Nicholls will both be given until the eleventh hour to push forth their case for senior selection, with both big-men named in a 25-man extended squad ahead of the Gold Coast SUNS clash at the G’ against Hawthorn this Sunday.
