Gold Coast’s season opener in Cairns on Saturday night will see three players don the SUNS’ guernsey for the first time in a Toyota AFL Premiership Season match. 

Senior Coach Stuart Dew delivered the good news to Lachie Weller, Aaron Young and Nick Holman earlier this week.

All three players have made an immediate impact on the training track and in the JLT Community Series games they have played. 

Weller returned home to the Gold Coast during last year’s trade period and, with 47 career games to his name, has added to the SUNS’ outside run.

He spent much of his game time playing in the midfield and on the wing, however the 22-year-old can also play as a rebounding half-back.

The second JLT Series game against the Lions gave a glimpse of Weller’s talent, where his clean ball skills saw him record 20 disposals at 60 per cent efficiency in wet conditions.

Forward Aaron Young will line up for the SUNS, slotting into the forward line as a foil for Tom Lynch and Sam Day.

Having kicked 62 career goals, Young is a player who has made an immediate impact after joining the club from Port Adelaide. 

He found himself rotating through the midfield at times while also managing to find the goals in both JLT Series games.

The third debutant for the SUNS this weekend has been arguably the surprise packet of the pre-season so far.

Nick Holman was given a second chance by Gold Coast and hasn’t looked back since, impressing in both of his JLT Series outings.

The rookie has typified the SUNS’ new game plan under Dew, with his forward pressure and ability to rotate through the midfield telling.

The full round one team will be announced on goldcoastfc.com.au at 5.25pm on Thursday.