Gold Coast has made four changes to its senior line up ahead of Saturday’s match against St Kilda at Metricon Stadium.

Experienced vice-captain Michael Rischitelli has overcome a quad injury and will take his place in the team for the round 19 encounter, while Trent McKenzie will make his long-awaited comeback from a hamstring strain which has kept the key defender on the sidelines since the GC SUNS’ extraordinary round 16 win over Collingwood.

General Manager - Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft, told goldcoastfc.com.au the return of Rischitelli and McKenzie would be welcome additions to the senior team.

“Michael and Trent are proven AFL performers and we look forward to having them back in the side this week,” he said.

As reported on Wednesday by goldcoastfc.com.au, Zac Smith will miss the remainder of the season with the No. 1 ruckman having undergone surgery on his right ankle to repair damage to his medial ligament, while key forward and back-up ruckman Charlie Dixon will be sidelined indefinitely due to a troublesome quad.

Their absences mean ruckman Daniel Gorringe comes in for his first senior game of 2014.

Ashcroft is confident the former top ten draft pick has the fitness and form to perform a key role around the ground on Saturday night.

“Daniel has competed superbly in the ruck with our NEAFL team since his return to football from Achilles surgery, and we’re excited to see him make the most of his senior opportunity.”

Timmy Sumner has also been named in the squad of 22, while Luke Russell (hip) and Clay Cameron (omitted) have been left out of the side.

20-year-old Cameron joins Matthew Warnock and Tom Murphy as emergencies for the game.

Round 19 AFL Premiership Team
B: R. Thompson, S. May, G. Broughton
HB: S. Lemmens, T. McKenzie, D. Swallow
C: J. Harbrow, D. Stanley, M. Shaw
HF: M. Rischitelli, T. Lynch, H. Bennell
F: J. Martin, S. Day, A. Hall
R: D. Gorringe, J. O’Meara, D. Prestia
INT: L. Herbert, T. Sumner, J. Lonergan, A. Sexton

Emergencies: M. Warnock, C. Cameron, T. Murphy

In: Rischitelli, Gorringe, Sumner, McKenzie
Out: Smith (Ankle), Dixon (Quad), Russell (Hip), Cameron (Omit)