Gold Coast SUNS star Harley Bennell has been ruled out of this Sunday’s AFL Indigenous Round clash against Adelaide after failing to overcome a calf injury, while Clay Cameron will make his senior return at Adelaide Oval.
Bennell was left out of the 25-man extended squad after he sustained a cork to his left calf in the side’s 45-point win over the Western Bulldogs.
He missed the first six weeks of the season with calf tightness in his other leg, but has been in excellent form since making his AFL comeback, averaging 18 disposals playing as a high half-forward and kicking seven goals in his three starts.
General Manager - Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft, told goldcoastfc.com.au the club opted to take a conservative approach with Bennell’s injury.
“Harley finished last weekend’s game with a tight calf, and it hasn’t improved the way we would have liked it to during the week,” Ashcroft said.
“He wasn’t able to train fully today, and after consulting with the club’s medical staff, we decided against playing Harley.
“We are hopeful he’ll be available to play against the Swans next weekend.”
Rory Thompson will be given another week to overcome the wrist injury he suffered against St Kilda, opening the door for 20-year-old Cameron to be named to make his return at centre half-back.
The AIS-AFL Academy graduate made a successful return to football through the NEAFL last weekend, and Ashcroft is confident the Queenslander can make an impact at senior level.
“Clay will come into the side and play a role in our back-six,” he said.
“He is a competitive person, and we know when he comes into the senior side he will compete right to the very end, so we look forward to welcoming him back into the team.”
The round 11 fixture will mark Gold Coast’s first game at Adelaide’s new home of football, while South Australian junior Sean Lemmens is in line to play his first AFL premiership match in front of family and friends against the hometown Crows.
Jack Hutchins, Jeremy Taylor and Tom Murphy have been named on an extended interchange and given their recent emergency listings, remain a chance of cracking into the final 22.
goldcoastfc.com.au will confirm the senior team at 5pm on Friday once it has been finalised with the AFL.
Round 11 AFL Premiership Team
B: K. Kolodjashnij, S. May, G. Broughton
HB: D. Stanley, C. Cameron, T. McKenzie
C: J. Harbrow, G. Ablett, M. Rischitelli
HF: A. Hall, T. Lynch, L. Russell
F: C. Dixon, S. Day, B. Matera
R: Z Smith, J. O’Meara, D. Prestia
INT: M. Shaw, J. Hutchins, A. Sexton, J. Taylor, D. Swallow, T. Murphy, S. Lemmens
In: Cameron, Hutchins, Taylor, Murphy
Out: Bennell (Calf)
