After missing the side’s historic 44-point win over the GWS Giants in Canberra on the weekend, Bennell’s return makes the Gold Coasters a much more dangerous proposition for the visiting Dockers.
In equally exciting news for GC SUNS members and fans, Jesse Lonergan will make his AFL debut following his impressive form against the Brisbane Lions reserves in Mackay last Thursday.
In his return game back from a fractured wrist suffered during the Clubs NAB Cup campaign, Lonergan was voted among his peers as the SUNS best on-field performer during the inaugural ANZAC clash.
On the eve of the side’s important match against the Dockers, goldcoastfc.com.au can exclusively reveal that senior coach Guy McKenna met privately with Lonergan at Club’s training headquarters yesterday afternoon, the 18-yearold left shocked as McKenna shook his hand and congratulated him in earning his place in the team to face the Dockers this Saturday night.
“Bluey (McKenna) called me in to his office, and then congratulated me on playing this weekend, I was pretty confused because I didn’t know exactly what he meant until I realised he said I was playing against the Dockers,” said Lonergan.
“I’m certainly rapt to be earning a call-up; it’ll be my first AFL match, and while I won’t prepare any differently, I’ll certainly be thinking about it leading up to the match.”
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Charlie Dixon this weekend after the SUNS big-man set a new club goal-kicking record with his six-goal haul against the Giants, with veteran Luke McPharlin expected to receive the tough task of minimising the Dixon’s damage on the scoreboard.
Unfortunately Steven May has been ruled out of action for this weekend’s contest after the swingman sustained a minor hamstring strain at training yesterday.
ROUND 6 AFL Premiership Senior Team
B: T. McKenzie, T. Murphy, D. Prestia
HB: D. Stanley, R. Thompson, G. Broughton
C: M. Rischitelli, G. Ablett, J. Harbrow
HF: H. Bennell, T. Lynch, A. Hall
F: Z. Smith, S. Day, B. Matera
R: C. Dixon, K. Hunt, D. Swallow
INT: J. Lonergan, J. O’Meara, J. Brennan, M. Shaw
EMERGENCIES: D. Gorringe, J. Hutchins, T. Sumner
In: H. Bennell, J. Lonergan
Out: S. May (Hamstring), J. Hutchins (Omit)
