Gold Coast have been dealt a late blow on the eve of Sunday’s QClash, with in-form forward Ben Long ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
The Suns confirmed the change to their Round 8 line-up on Saturday, just 24 hours before their clash with the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
Long will be replaced in the starting side by club veteran David Swallow.
Long out, Swallow returns for first QClash of 2025
The injury setback comes as a frustration for both Long and the Suns, with the 26-year-old among Damien Hardwick’s most consistent contributors this season. He’s kicked 14 goals from six games, averaging 12 disposals and more than five marks a match.
Swallow, who was not named in the extended squad on Friday, now returns directly into the side. The former captain has played over 200 games for the Suns and is one of the few remaining foundation players still at the club.
“We have made a change to our QClash team to face the Brisbane Lions,” the club posted via X on Saturday. “Ben Long (hamstring) has been replaced by David Swallow.”
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It remains unclear how serious Long’s hamstring issue is, with the club yet to provide a recovery timeframe.
Swallow’s inclusion is the only alteration to the team that defeated Sydney last week, with Hardwick initially opting to go unchanged into the high-stakes local derby.
Emergencies Brayden Fiorini, Ned Moyle and Sam Clohesy remain on standby, with final teams for the 7:20 pm AEST clash to be confirmed an hour before bounce.
Gold Coast, now sitting 4-3, will be eager to make a statement in the state rivalry after snapping a long Sydney hoodoo in Round 7.