HARLEY Bennell needs to show effort both on and off the field in the next week to regain his place in the senior team, says Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade. 

Bennell was sanctioned by the Suns on Thursday after images were released in national newspapers two weeks ago of him allegedly in a Tasmanian hotel room with illicit drugs in 2013. 

The talented midfielder has missed the past two matches, and will be considered for senior selection against Adelaide in round 17 following Saturday's NEAFL match against the GWS reserves. 

Eade said his expectations of Bennell were simple. 

"Like we've seen this past couple of weeks, the attention to detail, which is expected as a professional player," Eade said. 

"In the past he's trained pretty well anyway, historically he's a good trainer. It's all the little things that go along with that. 

"We want to see effort tomorrow in the game.

"We know he's talented. It's not so much his performance as far as quality, but it's about he effort. 

"If there's effort in his preparation and effort in his game, there's a fair chance he'll be back in."

Eade reinforced he expected nothing more from Bennell than he expected from anyone else on the Suns' list. 

One player who has been given a reprieve for Saturday's match against GWS at Metricon Stadium is ruckman Zac Smith.

Smith has not played since a round seven shellacking by West Coast, but has been recalled to partner Tom Nicholls in the ruck, despite the tandem not previously working well together.

"His form has been sensational (in the reserves) and you have to reward players that are in some form," Eade said.

"The difference from playing him last time, which was in the wet and he wasn't in great form, to now, he's got his confidence up, and we're hoping he can take that into the game." 

Eade said despite the external comparisons between the Suns and Giants, the match meant nothing special to him. 

"I know there's public and media interest because we're two new clubs. We're about the rest of the competition and I would think GWS are as well, they're aiming for finals. 

"It's not a big deal to be honest."