There were worrying signs for the Gold Coast SUNS following the weekend’s seven point loss to Fremantle.
Nathan Bock had been lost for the season with a broken leg, Jared Brennan had spent significant time on the sideline with a knee complaint while David Swallow's foot was buried beneath layers of plastic wrap and ice as the SUNS tended to their wounded.
With Jarrod Harbrow, Michael Rischitelli and Captain Gary Ablett also on the injured list, for a while it looked as though Guy McKenna would be forced to reach deep into his NEAFL stocks to build his team.
A week is a long time in footy, and while they are yet to pass a final test, the Gold Coast SUNS look certain to be bolstered by the return of their skipper and the experienced Rischitelli, while Brennan and Swallow have also recovered well according to General Manager of Football Operations Marcus Ashcroft.
"The boys with injury concerns during the week have all pulled up pretty well after training on Wednesday and we have named them all in the team."
"Gary, Michael, Jared and David will all need to get through training unscathed here at Metricon Stadium tomorrow morning before we fly out to Canberra."
Michael Coad has been included in the twenty two to travel South to the Nations Capital completing a remarkable come back from a number of serious injuries with Maverick Weller and Matt Shaw omitted from the SUNS line up.
Ashcroft is full of praise for the returning Coad.
"Coady has worked really hard to get back onto the senior list and we are thrilled that he will get another opportunity at the highest level."
Gold Coast SUNS Round 7 Team:
Back: J. Brennan, M Warnock, S. Tape
Half Backs: S. Iles, M. Coad, J. Wilkinson
Centreline: M. Rischitelli, K. Hunt, T. McKenzie
Half Forwards: H. Bennell, T. Lynch, J. Toy
Forwards: C. Brown, S. Day, L. Russell
Followers: Z. Smith, J. Caddy, G. Ablett
Interchange: D. Swallow, K. Horsley, D. Prestia, C. Dixon
Emergencies: J. Taylor, D. Stanley, M. Shaw
IN: M. Coad, M. Rischitelli, G. Ablett
OUT: N. Bock (Leg), M. Weller (Omitted), M. Shaw (Omitted)
