REBOUNDING
Coach keeps the faith in struggling Suns defender
SUNS coach Stuart Dew believes struggling defender Pearce Hanley has turned a corner with his form and will keep the faith with the Irishman.
Hanley has kept his spot in Gold Coast’s top 22 for its Round 7 clash against Sydney at the SCG on Saturday.
The rebounding defender has been one of the Suns’ most reliable players since joining the club at the end of 2016 from Brisbane but the 31-year-old has been below his best throughout the opening stages of the season.
Gold Coast’s depth is at an all-time high and the likes of Jesse Joyce, Jez McLennan, Corey Ellis, Jacob Dawson and Jordan Murdoch are among those waiting in the wings for their chance.
Despite the heat on Hanley (pictured), Dew said he was sticking by his man.
“We back Pearce,” Dew said. “He is a very good player for us. By his own admission he has had a couple of down weeks.
“There were a couple of signs last week that he had turned a corner.
“We also have to make sure we get the ball in his hands a bit more too.
“Also, at different times we look to Pearce to kickstart our ball movement.
“If he is feeling like he has to carry the load of the back half ball movement then other guys need to step up so he can play his role and not feel like he has to go over and above.
“That is the important part of the team and how we help Pearce get back into form.”
Saturday’s game will be the third time Dew, who spent several years working as an assistant coach at Sydney, has coached against the Swans, with the teams holding one win a piece between them. Brayden Fiorini has been dropped for the game, with wingman Wil Powell replacing him.
Fiorini, Peter Wright, Zac Smith and Jeremy Sharp have been named as the emergencies.
Pressure forward Nick Holman will play his 50th AFL game after recovering from a knock to his back last week.
PREMIERSHIP midfielder Toby McLean is among four Western Bulldogs players dumped ahead of Friday night’s clash with Essendon.
Coach Luke Beveridge has made big changes for the showdown at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, with Josh Schache, Rhylee West and Louis Butler to also miss.
Experienced pair Matt Suckling and Hayden Crozier will make their returns, along with defender Lachie Young, while Cody Weightman will make his AFL debut.
The exciting small forward will line up against former Dandenong Stingrays TAC Cup teammate Ned Cahill, who also makes his debut.
Cahill is one of two Bombers inclusions, with defender Mason Redman also named.
Star Dylan Shiel (suspended) and defender Martin Gleeson (managed) drop out of the Essendon side.
Irishman Conor McKenna has been named, despite recent hand surgery.
At North Melbourne, skipper Jack Ziebell will make his return from a hamstring injury in Saturday night’s clash against Richmond on the Gold Coast.
Ziebell is one of three inclusions for the Roos, with Aiden Bonar and Mason Wood also into the side.
Tarryn Thomas (ankle) and Paul Ahern (hamstring) will miss due to injury, while Tom Campbell has been omitted. Jed Anderson will miss again.
Premier Richmond will take an unchanged line-up into the fixture.
Veteran Shaun Burgoyne has been named in Hawthorn’s extended squad for Sunday’s clash against Melbourne. Jack Scrimshaw (ankle) and Mitch Lewis (hip) could make their returns from the respective injuries that kept them out of the Hawks’ Round 6 loss to Collingwood.