The losses of Gary Ablett to season-ending shoulder surgery and Trent McKenzie to a hamstring strain have resulted in two changes to Gold Coast’s senior team ahead of Saturday’s match against the Western Bulldogs at Cazaly’s Stadium.

Hard-running wingman Matt Shaw has been recalled to the 22 after he was omitted from the senior group last weekend, while Tom Murphy will make his first AFL appearance for the season following a consistent run of performances with the GC SUNS NEAFL team.

The veteran full back will play a key role in the back line in the absence of McKenzie, and although he will notch his first senior match for the year against the Bulldogs, he has shown throughout his ten-year career he has an ability to lock down opposition forwards.

Having been listed as an emergency on multiple occasions this year, General Manager - Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft, lauded Murphy’s resilient attitude driven towards cracking back into the club’s best 22.

“We always knew Tom would get a chance at some stage, but the way he has conducted himself in his pursuit for a senior call-up has been outstanding,” Ashcroft said.

“He has been one of our most consistent performers in the NEAFL this year, and his form is good enough to warrant a senior selection.

“We welcome his experience and composure into the side.”

Shaw will also make his comeback in the far north Queensland clash, and will look to ignite the team with his run and carry on the outside after being named to start on the interchange bench alongside Rising Star nominee Kade Kolodjashnij, Danny Stanley and Jesse Lonergan.

“Matt will also return to the senior team and we are confident he will acquit himself well in the senior side,” Ashcroft added.

Round 17 AFL Premiership Team
B: T. Murphy, S. May, G. Broughton
HB: S. Lemmens, R. Thompson, M. Rischitelli
C: J. Harbrow, D. Swallow, A. Sexton
HF: J. Martin, T. Lynch, H. Bennell
F: C. Dixon, S. Day, A. Hall
R: Z Smith, J. O’Meara, D. Prestia
INT: K. Kolodjashnij, D. Stanley, J. Lonergan, M. Shaw

Emergencies: L. Russell, M. Warnock, J. Hutchins

In: Murphy, Shaw
Out: Ablett (shoulder), McKenzie (hamstring)