MIDFIELDER Aaron Hall has been omitted from Gold Coast's team to play Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.
Coach Rodney Eade told the club's website Hall would instead travel with the NEAFL team to play Sydney University in Sydney on Sunday afternoon.
It's a stunning fall from grace for the 25-year-old, who was one of the form players in the competition in the opening month, where he averaged 32 disposals a game.
Eade said he needed to do some work at the lower level before earning a recall.
"His form’s dropped off a bit the last few weeks," Eade said.
"But there’s also a few things, part of his game that need correction that he’s dropped away in that he had earlier in the year.
"We’ve spoken to Aaron about that so we just felt for his confidence and for us that he needs to go back and rediscover that and just get the basics right.
"I’m certain he’ll be back. He’s too good of a player to be out for too long and I’m certain he’ll be back in very soon."
First round draftee Callum Ah Chee will also miss the match after injuring his calf at training on Thursday.
Gold Coast is expected to welcome back defenders Rory Thompson and Sam Day from injury.