The Gold Coast SUNS will play a 37-man squad against Essendon in six periods of match simulation at Austworld Centre Oval from 4pm on Thursday afternoon.

SUNS fans will get their first look at new recruits Ben Long and Tom Berry in the red and gold, alongside Connor Blakely, Jake Stein and Brodie McLaughlin.

It will also be the first hit-out for Gold Coast’s pick 6 Bailey Humphrey and Northern Territory SUNS Academy product Lloyd Johnston.

Missing from action will be Ben King, Touk Miller and Brandon Ellis – with all three preparing to be available for Round 1.

Connor Budarick and Lachie Weller are both unavailable as they continue their ACL recoveries.

Mac Andrew will miss the match through suspension while Sam Collins, Sean Lemmens, Jed Anderson and Malcolm Rosas Jnr have all been managed.

All members and fans are welcome to watch the match at the Austworld Centre Oval, with gates opening at 3.45pm and parking in the overflow carpark next to the oval. 

Entry is free for the match which will consist of 6x 25-minute periods with no time on.

The match will also be broadcast live on Kayo.

Gold Coast SUNS squad v Essendon

1. Mabior Chol
2. Rory Atkins
3. Sam Flanders
5. Alex Davies
6. Alex Sexton
7. Nick Holman
8. Brayden Fiorini
9. Ben Ainsworth
10. Charlie Ballard
12. Sam Day
13. Jack Lukosius
15. Noah Anderson
16. Tom Berry
18. Matt Rowell
19. Bailey Humphrey
20. Jeremy Sharp
21. James Tsitas
22. Ben Long
24. David Swallow
26. Connor Blakely
28. Jarrod Witts
29. Chris Burgess
30. Levi Casboult
32. Bodhi Uwland
33. Charlie Constable
36. Elijah Hollands
37. Oskar Faulkhead
38. Lloyd Johnston
40. Joel Jeffrey
42. Jake Stein
43. Brodie McLaughlin
44. Darcy Macpherson
45. Sandy Brock
46. Caleb Graham
47. Hewago Oea
49. Ned Moyle
50. Jy Farrar