Kade Kolodjashnij has been forced out of the Gold Coast SUNS season opener against Essendon with illness.

The Tasmanian will be replaced in the senior line-up by Callum Ah Chee, who will now make his AFL debut.

Ah Chee, the No. 8 selection in last year’s national draft, played in all three of the SUNS’ pre-season games, booting two goals.