Rebounding defender Adam Saad has proved his fitness at Thursday’s main training session and will reclaim his place in the Gold Coast SUNS back six against Melbourne this Saturday at Metricon Stadium.
Saad missed last weekend with a hip injury, but his inclusion will give the SUNS defence a much-needed boost.
Livewire forward Jarrod Garlett will make his first senior appearance of 2016 after kicking six goals in his last two NEAFL games, while rookie Darcy Macpherson will make his AFL debut following a string of solid performances in the reserves.
WATCH: Darcy Macpherson calls his parents with the good news
“The three players we’ve brought in have got speed,” coach Rodney Eade told goldcoastfc.com.au.
“Garlett and Macpherson bring forward pressure and the ability to kick a goal but Adam Saad as well giving us some run out of defence.
“So that’s been a focus, to be able to put some pressure on the opposition, so having some speed in there is going to help that.”
Trent McKenzie goes out of the side with an ankle injury, while last week’s debutant Mackenzie Willis and mature-aged rookie Ryan Davis have been omitted.
Round 7 AFL Premiership Team
B: A. Saad, H. Schade, S. Lemmens
HB: J. Harbrow, S. Day, N. Malceski
C: K. Kolodjashnij, G. Ablett, M. Rosa
HF: J. Garlett, T. Lynch, J. Martin
F: A. Sexton, P. Wright, C. Cameron
FOLL: D. Currie, J. Lonergan, D. Prestia
INT: J. Grant, T. Miller, A. Hall, D. Macpherson
EMG: M. Shaw, B. Matera, M. Willis
IN: Saad, Macpherson, Garlett
OUT: McKenzie (ankle), Willis (omit), Davis (omit)
