The task is simple for the Gold Coast Suns: Beat Essendon to secure the club’s first ever finals berth in its 15-year history.
The Suns (14-8, 120.1%) failed to secure their spot in September in last week’s loss to Port Adelaide. It means Damien Hardwick’s side now needs to take care of business in Wednesday night’s People First Stadium clash, which was rescheduled from opening Round due to Cyclone Alfred in both clubs’ second Round 24 match.
The Suns are boosted by the additions of Daniel Rioli, Bayley Humphrey and Jake Rogers to their 23.
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For Essendon (6-16, 81.8%), the club gets a chance to spoil the Suns’ finals party. Though Brad Scott’s injury-ravaged side has dropped 12 games in a row.
Jayden Laverde and Sam Durham are back for the Bombers, while Jade Gresham will miss due to personal reasons.
A Suns win would see them jump the Western Bulldogs in eighth place and set up an away elimination final against Fremantle. If Gold Coast makes up the 0.8 percentage on Hawthorn, which is roughly five goals, it would finish seventh and play an away elimination final against Fremantle.
This match gets underway at 7.20pm AEST from People First Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504) and Kayo from 7pm AEST.
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