Midfielders Dion Prestia, Michael Rischitelli and Danny Stanley will return to senior football after being named in the 26-man Gold Coast SUNS squad for Saturday night’s Round 3 NAB Cup match against the Sydney Swans at Blacktown International Sports Park.

The GC SUNS will be without skipper Gary Ablett, Karmichael Hunt and Jarrod Harbrow who will be rested against the reigning AFL premiers, however the trio will return for the SUNS last pre-season match ahead of their season opener against St. Kilda on Saturday 30 March at Metricon Stadium.

Charlie Dixon also returns to the squad after gaining valuable match time in last weekend’s NEAFL practice match against Aspley, while Joel Wilkinson will be recalled to the playing squad and will likely to field one of the SUNS biggest defensive assignments.

After arguably being the stand-out performer from the GC SUNS gruelling summer training camp, Wilkinson said he would use the final NAB Cup match to push his case for early selection in the 2013 AFL Season.

“My goal heading into this premiership season was certainly to play as many senior games of footy as possible, and ultimately hold down a spot in the side,” Wilkinson told goldcoastfc.com.au earlier this month.

“Hopefully my efforts in the weight room and on the training track will put me in good stead to help the SUNS in the chase more premiership points this season.”

GC SUNS fans can watch all the action live on goldcoastfc.com.au . The live stream of the match against reigning AFL premiers the Sydney Swans will commence from 5:30pm (AEST) on Saturday with the opening bounce at 6:00pm (AEST).

GC SUNS NAB Cup Round 3 Squad:
1          Jaeger O’Meara
2          Zac Smith
3          Jared Brennan
4          Maverick Weller                     
10        Dion Prestia
11        Harley Bennell
12        Sam Day
14        Matthew Warnock
15        Daniel Gorringe
16        Rory Thompson
17        Steven May
23        Charlie Dixon
24        David Swallow
25        Danny Stanley
28        Jack Martin
29        Tom Murphy
30        Campbell Brown
32        Brandon Matera
33        Aaron Hall
34        Jack Hutchins
35        Michael Rischitelli
36        Greg Broughton
37        Jesse Lonergan
38        Joel Wilkinson
42        Kyal Horsley

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