GOLD COAST has recalled strong-bodied midfielder Jesse Lonergan for Saturday’s clash with Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium.
Lonergan replaces the injured Brandon Matera in the only change to the Suns’ team that defeated Geelong by 40 points last Saturday.
Interestingly, Gold Coast Coach Guy McKenna has opted to go with just two established tall defenders against a loaded Hawthorn forward line of Jarryd Roughead, Jack Gunston and David Hale.
Former Melbourne key defender Matthew Warnock has been named as an emergency, however, and could be a late inclusion to help his side tackle the potent Hawthorn forward line.
The 183cm, 91kg midfielder has played just four career games after making his debut last year, with Saturday’s game to be his first of 2014.
Lonergan is known for his contested ball winning ability, an area in which the Suns have improved this season.
He was taken with a first round pick, number 13 overall in the 2013 National Draft.
With the Hawks possessing a number of hardened bodies in the midfield, it seems McKenna has seen big bodies in the middle as an area of need for his side.
Captain Luke Hodge, Vice-captain Jordan Lewis, Brad Sewell and Shaun Burgoyne are all hardened midfielder for the Hawks, while Roughead is also spending time on-ball.
Hawthorn dominated the midfield battle in the Round 4 meeting between the two sides this year, a game the Hawks run out convincing 99-point winners.
On that night, Hawthorn dominated the contested footy 175-144 and won the clearances 43-39.
The Hawks also had four players gather 30 or more touches and eight with 20 or more.
Matera is a big loss for the Suns given he has kicked the second-most goals this season with 22, equal with champion midfielder Gary Ablett.
Hawthorn, meanwhile has also made just one change for the game, with defender Ben Stratton back in the side after missing three weeks with injury. Ben Ross has been omitted.
Round 15
Hawthorn v Gold Coast SUNS
Saturday 28 June
Aurora Stadium, 1.45pm
HAWTHORN
B Ryan Schoenmakers, Brian Lake, Luke Hodge
HB Matthew Suckling, Matt Spangher, Grant Birchall
C Isaac Smith, Jordan Lewis, Bradley Hill
HF Paul Puopolo, Jack Gunston, Cyril Rioli
F Luke Breust, Jarryd Roughead, David Hale
FOLL Jonathon Ceglar, Shaun Burgoyne, Liam Shiels
I/C Angus Litherland, Taylor Duryea, Ben Stratton,Brad Sewell
EMG Ben Ross, Ben McEvoy, Jonathan Simpkin
IN Ben Stratton
OUT Ben Ross (Omitted)
GOLD COAST
B Kade Kolodjashnij, Steven May, Greg Broughton
HB Matt Shaw, Rory Thompson, Trent McKenzie
C Jarrod Harbrow, Gary Ablett, Michael Rischitelli
HF Jack Martin, Tom Lynch, Harley Bennell
F Charlie Dixon, Sam Day, Luke Russell
FOLL Zac Smith, Jaeger O'Meara, Dion Prestia
I/C Alex Sexton, David Swallow, Danny Stanley,Jesse Lonergan
EMG Matthew Warnock, Clay Cameron, Sean Lemmens
IN Jesse Lonergan
OUT Brandon Matera (Groin)
