With Darcy Gardiner out for the last two weeks of the season, AFL Media's Michael Whiting takes a look at who could be in the mix for Round 22 against Gold Coast Suns:
No NEAFL match last weekend, but a couple of players put their hands up from previous weeks including Claye Beams, Cedric Cox and Zac Bailey.
A dislocated shoulder has ruled out reliable defence Darcy Gardiner. Darcy will undergo surgery this week.
The verdict? With Gardiner expected to miss, watch for either Beams or Cox to come in as a running defender against the smaller Gold Coast forward line.
Whiting has also predicted Gold Coast's line-up for Saturday's QClash16:
Brad Scheer and Josh Schoenfeld were strong in the NEAFL, while Jack Scrimshaw has had a decent stretch of games in recent weeks.
Kade Kolodjashnij has battled in recent weeks, while Jack Leslie and Wil Powell were quiet against Richmond.
Hamstring injuries against the Tigers will rule out Pearce Hanley and Will Brodie for the final two rounds. Rory Thompson (hamstring) and Sean Lemmens (hand) will undergo fitness tests.
The verdict? If Thompson passes his test, he'll come in alongside Leslie and May to combat the Lions' tall forward line. It would be a good time to trial Scrimshaw, possibly at Kolodjashnij's expense, while either Lemmens (depending on fitness) or Scheer should replace Brodie.
