The Gold Coast SUNS will field their strongest side of the pre-season in the final NAB Challenge fixture against the Brisbane Lions on Friday night at Metricon Stadium.



In the SUNS' final dress rehearsal ahead of the home and away season, Rodney Eade’s side features a far more experienced outfit to the one that was defeated by Greater Western Sydney in the second weekend of the NAB Challenge series.



Following a successful return in the NEAFL practice match against Southport last Saturday, established pair Dion Prestia and Steven May will feature in their first appearance of the AFL pre-season competition. Key defender Rory Thompson will put a frustrating pre-season behind him when he returns to combat a Lions forward 50 that no longer contains champion Jonathan Brown.



Prized off-season acquisitions Nick Malceski and Mitch Hallahan have been named for a final hit out of the pre-season, along with recent draftees Jarrod Garlett and Touk Miller who have both played in the opening two games of the NAB Challenge series.



Daring rebounding defender Adam Saad’s round one chances appear to be increasing by the week with the mature-aged rookie given another opportunity to secure a spot in Eade’s round one side. The 20-year-old has crafted an eye-catching pre-season and his polished ball use forms a classy left-foot brigade backwards of centre, with Malceski, May, Kade Kolodjashnij and Trent McKenzie.



Ruck pair Zac Smith and Tom Nicholls will continue their battle for the No. 1 ruck mantle at Metricon Stadium on Friday night. Lions pair Matthew Leuenberger and Stefan Martin present a formidable test for Smith and Nicholls with former Demon Martin establishing himself as one of the games toughest ruck matchups in the back end of 2014 due to his ball winning ability around the ground.

Gold Coast SUNS Squad

NAB Rd 3 v Brisbane Lions

Friday 20 March

Metricon Stadium



2. Zac Smith

4. Jack Martin

5. Jarrod Harbrow

6. Alex Sexton

7. Nick Malceski

8. Luke Russell

10. Dion Prestia

11. Harley Bennell

14. Mitch Hallahan

15. Daniel Gorringe

16. Rory Thompson

17. Steven May

18. Trent McKenzie

19. Tom Lynch

21. Jack Leslie

22. Tom Nicholls

24. David Swallow

26. Matt Shaw

28. Kade Kolodjashnij

32. Brandon Matera

33. Aaron Hall

34. Josh Glenn

35. Michael Rischitelli

41. Jarrod Garlett

42. Adam Saad

44. Touk Miller

48. Seb Tape