ESSENDON has opted to rest dual All-Australian defender Michael Hurley from Wednesday night's must-win clash with Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium. 

Hurley, who had played every other match this season, joins two-game ruckman Sam Draper in being managed, while Jacob Townsend (concussion) will also miss the Suns game. 

FULL TEAMS Check 'em out

Marty Gleeson, Tom Bellchambers and Dylan Clarke return for the Bombers, who named Jordan Ridley (ribs) despite him being in doubt after leaving the field late in Friday night's defeat to Greater Western Sydney. 

Townsend avoided a facial fracture and hopes to return for Sunday's contest with St Kilda. 

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Match Previews R11: Gold Coast v Essendon

Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Matthew Richardson preview the game between the Suns and Bombers at Metricon Stadium

Published on Aug 12, 2020

The Suns will unveil a fifth debutant from last year's draft, with No.11 pick Sam Flanders to play his first senior game – but they've dropped 2019 leading goalkicker Alex Sexton. 

Sexton's failed to kick a goal in Gold Coast's past two matches and has just two multi-major performances this season. 

ROUNDS 11-13 Check out the full fixture

Also making way are Nick Holman (omitted) and last week's debutant, Jeremy Sharp, who's unavailable through injury. 

Josh Corbett will take Sexton's spot in attack in his first AFL appearances of 2020, while midfielder Brayden Fiorini is also back.

Wednesday, August 12

Gold Coast v Essendon, Metricon Stadium, 7.10pm AEST

GOLD COAST
In: J.Corbett, B.Fiorini, S.Flanders
Out: N.Holman (omitted), A.Sexton (omitted), J.Sharp (injured)
New: Sam Flanders

ESSENDON
In: M.Gleeson, T.Bellchambers, D.Clarke
Out: M.Hurley (managed), J.Townsend (injured), S.Draper (managed)