By Michael Whiting
Gold Coast SUNS will be without Michael Rischitelli for Saturday's match against Fremantle after the midfielder was forced to pull out with an adductor injury.
Rischitelli has played every match in the GC SUNS debut season and been one of their most consistent, but picked up the injury in last weekend's 22-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.
Assistant coach Ken Hinkley said the 2010 Brisbane Lions best and fairest would likely miss one match only.
"It's more precaution than anything," Hinkley said.
"We know they've got a long season our older boys and we want to make sure they're there for most of the games.
"Obviously we'll miss Rischa but hopefully it's only a one week injury and we'll get him back in next week, but that's the footy season, sometimes you can't have your best available, but certainly we'll miss him."
Rischitelli is one of five changes for Gold Coast SUNS following the loss to the Bulldogs.
The GC SUNS welcome back Rising Star nominee Brandon Matera as well as fellow first year players Trent McKenzie, Seb Tape, Dan Gorringe and Sam Day.
Tom Lynch has been rested, while Mav Weller, Charlie Dixon and Nathan Krakouer have been omitted.
Matera missed four matches with a groin injury and Hinkley said his creativity around goal was missed.
"We've missed him a little bit as a small forward, he's lively and capable of kicking goals as he showed earlier in the year," he said.
"But again, like all our young players, it's not a rush for them, it's just making sure we're patient with them, they've got a long career in front of them."
The GC SUNS play seventh-placed Fremantle who are without ruckman Aaron Sandilands (toe) following last week's win over the Brisbane Lions.
Hinkley said despite their injury toll – which also includes David Mundy, Michael Barlow and Kepler Bradley – Freo would be a difficult proposition.
"With Sandilands out they're quite different to what they are when he is in the side but they are one of the modern sides that play their front press and they've been quite good at that over the past couple of years," he said.
"They've had some injury concerns this year but they're still playing some good footy. Sandilands is obviously a big part of their team but when you've got guys like Pavlich, Hill, there's plenty of talent in that side."
