The Gold Coast SUNS attacking end will welcome Izak Rankine back into the fold as one of two changes set to face Essendon on Sunday.

The final team submission sees Rankine and Oleg Markov added to the side to replace Malcolm Rosas Jnr (hamstring) and Jeremy Sharp (omitted).

Both Rankine and Markov were unavailable for last week’s heart-stopping win due against Richmond due to AFL’s Health and Safety Protocols.

One of the emergencies in Rory Atkins, Jy Farrar, Darcy Macpherson and Jeremy Sharp will be named as the medical substitute in the lead in to the game.

A near imperative match if SUNS want to keep their finals hopes alive takes on even more meaning with it also marking Head Coach Stuart Dew’s 100th game at the helm.

The coach re-signed with the club less than a fortnight ago and no doubt inspired the team’s impassioned response on the weekend overtaking Richmond with a goal on the final siren.

Sunday will also play a role in club history with veteran David Swallow set to equal former SUNS teammate Jarrod Harbrow’s record of most club games (192).

The Gold Coast SUNS will be hosted by Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Sunday 17 July, with first bounce at 4:40pm.

The Round 18 fixture will be broadcast live on the Seven Network (check your local guides) and across both Fox Sports and Kayo platforms.

Gold Coast SUNS Round 18 Team: 

B:

46. C Graham

25. S Collins

23. S Lemmens

HB:

3. J Bowes

10. C Ballard 

4. B Ellis

C:

26. S Flanders

15. N Anderson

24. D Swallow

HF:

9. B Ainsworth

1. M Chol

13. J Lukosius

F:

22. I Rankine

7. N Holman

30. L Casboult

FOLL:

28. J Witts

18. M Rowell

11. T Miller 

INT:

47. H Oea

12. S Day

17. O Markov

 

8. B Fiorini

 

 

EMG:

2. R Atkins

50. J Farrar

44. Darcy Macpherson

 

20. J Sharp