The Gold Coast SUNS will be forced to make at least one change to the 22 that narrowly eclipsed Essendon at Metricon Stadium last weekend, with Adam Saad’s dazzling debut season brought to a premature end.

The mature-aged rookie has been plagued by a groin injury in the second half of this season with the club deciding earlier in the week it was in Saad’s best interest to sit out the final two weeks of the season. As Rodney Eade has said for some time now, the running stocks in Carrara are thin, so it might not be a like for like swap at selection.

If key forward Charlie Dixon gets through Thursday’s main training session he will return against the Power on Saturday night. The 25-year-old missed last weekend’s two-point win of Essendon due to another ankle injury – a recurring injury that has limited his campaign to just 14 appearances thus far.

Sam Day was carried from the ground last Saturday night on a stretcher after hurting his neck in a marking contest. The swingman avoided any damage, ran on Tuesday and if he trains fully on Thursday, will be available for selection.

If Dixon and Day are not passed fit for selection, first-year key forward Peter Wright might earn another opportunity at senior level. Last year’s pick No. 8 has played three games in his debut season and was prominent in the reserves 85-point win over Eastlake last weekend, collecting 23 possessions and ten marks.

Classy onballer Andrew Boston responded emphatically to being dropped from Rodney Eade’s side with a polished performance against Eastlake. Boston was one of Josh Fraser’s key contributors, gathering 31 possessions, eight inside 50s, seven rebound 50s and six clearances. He also kicked 1.4, with his inaccuracy in front of goal the only blemish on a day where he put his hand up for an immediate recall to the seniors.

Veteran midfielder Andrew Raines continued his outstanding year in the NEAFL with another great showing. The former Brisbane and Richmond onballer collected 34 possessions, five inside 50s and five tackles to once again be one of the best players in the reserves.

Mature aged rookie Tyrone Downie has continued his outstanding form at NEAFL level with six goals and 28 disposals. AFL restrictions mean he can't be elevated from the rookie list at this late stage of the season, but would certainly be strongly in the mix if he could