Suns to call on reserves
Barlow, Fiorini, Hanley set for return to top flight
THE cavalry could be arriving to save the Gold Coast Suns from taking the wooden spoon.
Suns coach Stuart Dew revealed he would consider injecting some experience back into his side for this week’s Round 18 game against Sydney after the successful return of trio Pearce Hanley, Michael Barlow and Brayden Fiorini through the NEAFL after lengthy breaks due to injury.
It comes after a second-half fade-out on Saturday led to Gold Coast’s 13.17 (95) to 6.15 (51) loss to Essendon in front of 13,061 at Metricon Stadium.
Dew said all three would be considered at the selection table after just one game back.
“We will have to have a look,” Dew said following the reserve’s 10.10 (70) to 8.20 (68) win over GWS in Sydney on Saturday.
“Barlow, Fiorini and Hanley all played plus-95 minutes so they had a really good hitout against a strong GWS team.
“We will have to have a look. I’d love to have a look at the tape and see how they moved. Obviously you can’t bring all of those back in because they have missed some significant time.
“There are some other guys putting their hand up in the NEAFL as well which is good.
“It’s going to be interesting at selection this week.
“We couldn’t change much with the NEAFL bye (the week earlier) but we will have some options this week.”
Hanley hasn’t played since Round 3 due to a shoulder injury, while Fiorini hasn’t featured at AFL level since Round 6 as he makes his way back following a leg injury.
Barlow, who also hasn’t played AFL footy since Round 6, broke his jaw at the end of May while playing for the club’s NEAFL side.
The out-of-favour midfielder may struggle to get a game after being overlooked multiple times this season despite good form in the reserves.
The potential inclusion of Hanley is of particular interest to Dew who said the Irishman would provide a touch of class to the backline while working alongside Lachie Weller.
“We would love to have him back in the side for his leadership but also his ball use and creativity,” Dew said of Hanley.
“Lachie Weller has gone back there in the last three or four weeks and been outstanding in my opinion … He has given us real bounce and has been hard over the ball and in one-on-one contests.
“If we can get Pearce I think that will be a great tandem.”