Injuries and club-imposed suspensions have forced Gold Coast to make wholesale changes ahead of Saturday’s clash with Adelaide at Metricon Stadium.
Former Richmond and Brisbane midfielder Andrew Raines is among seven changes to the Suns side that defeated Brisbane in last week’s Q-Clash.
Key defender Rory Thompson returns from a hip injury, while Aaron Hall, Zac Smith and former Hawk Mitch Hallahan have all been recalled to the senior side. Midfielder Luke Russell and backman Clay Cameron are also set to make their first appearances of the season.
Jack Martin and Jarrod Garlett come out of the side with ankle injuries. Seb Tape has damaged his knee and was also unavailable.
Club-imposed sanctions prevent Harley Bennell, Trent McKenzie, Brandon Matera and Danny Stanley from taking their place.
Tall defender Steven May will serve the first week of his three-match ban.
Gold Coast’s team is
B: C. Clameron, H. Schade, K. Kolodjashnij
HB: A. Saad, R. Thompson, J. Lonergan
C: M. Shaw, D. Prestia, A. Sexton
HF: T. Miller, T. Lynch, J. Glenn
F: A. Hall, C. Dixon, S. Lemmens
R: T. Nicholls, M. Rischitelli, A. Raines
INT: J. Harbrow, M. Hallahan, Z. Smith, L. Russell
Emergencies: P. Wright, J. Leslie, A. Boston
IN: C. Cameron, R. Thompson, A. Raines, A. Hall, Z. Smith, L. Russell, M. Hallahan
OUT: H. Bennell (club suspension), B. Matera (club suspension), T. McKenzie (club suspension), J. Martin (ankle), J. Garlett (ankle), S. Tape (knee), S. May (suspension)
