Colossal midfield task awaits Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium

It has been a common theme for the majority of the season, but it has never been as severe as this week. The midfield department at the Gold Coast SUNS has been decimated by injury throughout 2015, with the bulk of a first-choice midfield missing for almost the entire campaign. With Gary Ablett and Michael Rischitelli missing Saturday’s clash with West Coast, Gold Coast’s five premier midfielders are unavailable, as well as Mitch Hallahan and Alex Sexton. No team could be competitive with such a comprehensive injury toll. And when you consider the calibre of personnel travelling from the west, it’s a scary proposition for the SUNS. Matt Priddis has quietly gone about business as per usual and is firming as a Brownlow medal fancy, whilst Andrew Gaff is considered a very strong chance of winning his first All Australian guernsey. Add Chris Masten, Luke Shuey, Matt Rosa, Scott Selwood to that mix and young guns Dom Sheed and Elliot Yeo and you see how far down the order West Coast bat.

Schofield named, bolstering depleted Eagles back six

Despite being substituted out of last Sunday’s game against Sydney with a calf issue and factoring in the biggest trip in the game, plus a six-day break, Will Schofield has been named to play on Saturday night. The Eagles depleted back six has been routinely tested this season with Eric McKenzie and Mitch Brown suffering season ending knee injuries early in the year. Jeremy McGovern hasn’t overcome a hamstring strain, but Schofield is set to play against a Gold Coast attack comprised of Tom Lynch, Charlie Dixon and Sam Day. Tom Barrass debuted last weekend against Sydney and will fill one of the key posts, whilst Brad Sheppard and Sharrod Wellingham will undoubtedly continue to play above their weight and float across to provide support. Sheppard has emerged as one of the best intercept players in the game this season, with his ability to read the player swiftly and then turn defence into attack with his clean ball use a major weapon for the Eagles.

SUNS put faith in returning Nicholls

Rodney Eade and the match committee have put a wealth of faith in Tom Nicholls this weekend with in-form Nic Naitanui coming to town. The West Coast ruckman has put together arguably his most consistent campaign this year, averaging 33.7 hitouts per game (6th in the competition), 11.1 hitouts to advantage (6th), and a hitout winning percentage of 58.1 per cent – ranked second in the league. With Nicholls replacing Zac Smith in the SUNS' 22, Eade will be hoping the 23-year-old produces a similar performance to the one he did the last time the two sides met. Back in round seven, Nicholls got the better of Naitanui at Domain Stadium in one of his strongest performances of the year. To make life more difficult for the Gold Coast ruckman, Callum Sinclair has continued to emerge this year as a damaging support act. Last weekend against Sydney, the pair combined for 71 hitouts to the Swans' 26, with mature-aged recruit, Sinclair, accumulating 29 hitouts and 21 possessions in one of the finest performances of his short career.

Another massive assignment for May, Thompson and co.

Gold Coast’s back six will be handed an imposing assignment again this weekend with West Coast boasting one of the premier attacks in the game. The Eagles are ranked second for points for (107.1 per game) on the back of a healthy contribution from Coleman medal leader Josh Kennedy who has 56 for the year, as well as Mark LeCras (31 goals) and Jack Darling who returned six weeks ago to add another dimension to an imposing weaponry. Josh Hill has also chipped in with 26 for the year, as has Jamie Cripps who has emerged this season as one of the best defensive forwards in the game. There will be little surprise if he sneaks a spot in the All Australian squad – his form has been that good. Steven May has dealt satisfactorily with Taylor Walker and Jeremy Cameron in the last fortnight, and with Kennedy next on the menu he will need to be at his best to stop a man who has thrived against the SUNS. He kicked bags of eight and seven against Gold Coast last year and was substituted out of the round seven game at three-quarter time with four to his name and a big bag in sight. Kade Kolodjashnij’s strong performance on Eddie Betts last weekend may see him play a similar lock down role this weekend and with Adam Saad returning to provide some speed and unpredictability, this will be the strongest back six the SUNS have fielded all season.

Saad and Martin return to provide spark

There is no hiding from the fact the continued run of outs has put a massive dampener on the SUNS’ season. But despite a never-before-seen injury toll at Metricon Stadium, the return of two excitement machines is major point of interest this weekend. After enduring another injury interrupted season, Jack Martin makes a long-awaited return to football, the first time he will be sighted since injuring his hamstring in the opening minute against Hawthorn in round nine. The highly rated West Australian has made just six appearances in 2015, and with six games left this year; he has time to build some momentum heading into the pre season. Adam Saad also returns after a three-week absence due to a hamstring strain. The rookie revelation has burst onto the scene this year, captivating audiences with his tremendous bravery with ball in hand. The SUNS have struggled for run for the duration of the year, but with Saad and Martin returning, along with Jarrod Harbrow, Eade’s side will be bolstered in this department.