Ellis in wings at Suns
GOLD Coast NEAFL coach Nick Malceski has praised Corey Ellis for his immediate on-field impact as the club weighs up whether to rush the former Richmond midfielder into the senior side following injuries to David Swallow and Ben Ainsworth.
Ellis impressed in his club debut for the Suns’ reserves in their 142-point win over QAFL premiers Palm Beach Currumbin in a practice match at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
The 22-year-old played a full game on the wing after missing about 10 weeks of training due to groin surgery before Christmas.
“Corey was pretty clean with the ball (against PBC) and played on the wing to get some run into his legs,” Malceski said.
“To play a full game is pretty good … he has put in a bulk of work in his rehab.
“I’d say he may need another game or so in the twos but you never know.”
Ellis played most of his 27 AFL games for Richmond at halfback and as a midfielder.
With Swallow and Ainsworth sustaining knee injuries in the Suns’ Round 1 loss to St Kilda, Gold Coast may need to elevate two players to the senior side for Sunday’s game against Fremantle at Metricon Stadium.
Suns physiotherapist Lindsay Bull said Swallow had significant bone bruising and swelling around his knee but it was structurally sound. It will be reassessed late this week to determine if he can play.
Swallow, who has missed about two years of football due to knee injuries, said he was relieved when the scans revealed he had avoided more serious damage.
The news isn’t as good for Ainsworth who could miss four to six weeks of football.
“Ben had a St Kilda player come across his knee as he went to kick and unfortunately injured both his medial and collateral ligaments in his knee, alongside having some pretty significant bone bruising,” Bull said.
Coach Stuart Dew said Nick Holman was the frontrunner to replace Ainsworth.
“Nick played a full game (in the reserves) and I thought he played that role really well last week so he will probably come into the mix as that pressure forward who can go on the ball,” Dew said.