The Gold Coast Bulletin

Major setback to Suns season

- MURRAY WENZEL AND TOM BOSWELL

A CRUEL double injury blow will leave the Gold Coast Suns without their AFL co-captains against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.

Off-contract star Tom Lynch will miss four weeks after his troublesom­e right knee flared up again, while defensive pillar Steven May is out with an infected finger.

May had minor surgery to repair a dislocatio­n suffered a fortnight ago against Brisbane, with the wound becoming infected after the weekend’s loss to Adelaide.

He will be reassessed next week, while star forward Lynch will be put in cotton wool until June.

The setback comes ahead of a crucial period for Gold Coast who sit at 3-3 and travel to Ballarat to plays the Bulldogs.

The injury is likely to keep Lynch out of action until after their Round 10 bye, meaning he will miss games against the Bulldogs, Melbourne and Port Adelaide, who the Suns play in China on May 19.

Suns teammate Lachie Weller says the team remain hopeful Lynch will re-sign with the club as the out-of-contract skipper has time on his hands to mull over his future.

Multiple southern clubs are said to be interested in snaring the key forward.

“It gives him a lot of time to think about it,” Weller said.

Forward Peter Wright is due to make his return from a calf injury through the Suns’ reserves this week, making Sam Day Gold Coast’s only establishe­d tall forward going into the clash with the Dogs.

Day’s versatilit­y has resulted in him spending most of his career at the Suns playing as a swingman, but the health of May and fellow defender Rory Thompson this season has enabled him to spend more time in front of goal where he has kicked four majors.

“Sam has been in really good form so he should be fine if that’s the role he plays,” Weller said.

“We need our talls down there and whoever comes in to make that contest and bring the ball to ground the way Lynchy does.”

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 ??  ?? Steven May and Tom Lynch.
Steven May and Tom Lynch.

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