Gold Coast’s Harley Bennell is tipped to return to the Suns’ senior side for Saturday’s clash with the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
Bennel, 22, starred in the NEAFL with 37 disposals and a goal in Gold Coast’s 130-point loss to the UWS Giants.
The skilled midfielder, who missed the Suns’ last match against Adelaide in Round Six, has now served a club-imposed ban that has kept him out of Gold Coast’s AFL team for the past three rounds.
Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade all but confirmed Bennell would return to confront the Crows on Saturday.
"I would think at this stage he'd play," Eade said after the Suns’ loss to GWS in Round 16.
"You judge players on their persistence. Harley's had 30-odd possessions and there's parts of his game he needs to work on, but I thought generally he played pretty well and worked hard."
Key forward Charlie Dixon is also likely to return after missing last round with an ankle injury. The 200cm, 105kg forward has kicked 28 goals for the season including 11 majors from his last three games.
Young Sun Jack Martin impressed with 16 disposals in his return from a hamstring injury in the NEAFL, but will play at State League level again as he completes his own club-imposed ban.
Former Lion Andrew Raines and untried defender Henry Schade were also among Gold Coast’s best in the NEAFL and may come under consideration for Saturday’s clash in Adelaide.