A bout of gastro has Rory Thompson facing a race against time to be fit for the Gold Coast SUNS round one opener against Richmond.  

The 22-year-old defender was struck by illness in the lead-up to the side’s second NAB Challenge match against Brisbane, and has completed limited training this week leaving a question mark over his availability for Sunday’s final practice match against Collingwood. 

Fourth in the club’s Club Championship award last year, Thompson had off-season hip surgery in November, resulting in a delayed start to his pre-season. 

But while Guy McKenna hasn’t ruled out his defensive pillar for Sunday’s match, the senior coach said Thompson’s availability was “day-by-day”. 

“He is so important to us, we have to make sure we think about what his preparation is like for the whole season,” he said.

“If that means he has to miss a game, then he might have to.”

Aside from star captain and 2013 Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett, no player is more critical to McKenna’s best 22.

Thankfully, the club’s plethora of big men, Charlie Dixon, Sam Day, Tom Lynch, Daniel Gorringe, and Tom Nicholls can fill the void in at Centre Half Back.  

In fact, 21-year-old Day impressed after making a switch to defence mid-way through last season, looking more comfortable than ever as he lined up against some of the competition’s most dangerous forwards.  

Steven May has also proven himself as a key defender, as displayed in last week’s performance where he led a young and experience backline against Brisbane in Townsville. 

In better news, the midfield cavalry will return for the SUNS this weekend, after being rested for the North Queensland showdown. 

Albeit wearing 2xu compression tights on their calves at training yesterday, Ablett and Lynch are expected to be available for Sunday.