Midfield worries deepen for Suns
THE Gold Coast Suns’ midfield will be even more depleted than usual against Sydney tomorrow due to the absence of Jack Martin and David Swallow.
Martin (calf) and Swallow (managed) have been withdrawn from the team with Jesse Lonergan and Kade Kolodjashnij being called up to replace them.
“Jack, unfortunately, yesterday hurt his calf (and) it’s just too quick a turnaround for this week so hopefully he’s back next week,” coach Stuart Dew told the Suns website last night.
“Dave’s had a really big year and his loads have been right up, particularly the last couple of weeks, so we felt it was in the best interest to give him a game off to give him the best chance to finish the year really strongly.”
Dew said their absence gave Lonergan and Kolodjashnij a chance to stake their claim for a spot in the starting 22 once again.
“Jesse, in particular, has always been doing the right things and just looking for those opportunities so we look forward to getting him back in the side and welcome him into the midfield,” Dew said.
“Kolo obviously has fought his way back too, he’s had a really solid month and we were always keen to give him an opportunity to cement his spot in the side again.”
In a third change, Jacob Heron returns to the Suns line-up to replace Josh Schoenfeld.
Sydney coach John Longmire has named his fifth debutant of the year with big man Darcy Cameron set to take on the Suns at the SCG.
“Darcy is a forward ruck type of player who has been playing in our reserves for quite a while at a really high level,” Longmire said.
“He’s able to mark the ball as a tall forward or go on ball and play in the ruck he’s got some versatility and he’s earned his spot.”
Cameron’s inclusion is the one change to the team which beat North Melbourne last week with Dan Robinson the one to miss out.