Gold Coast weighing up tribunal challenge for Sam Day as Steven May faces umpire-touch verdict

GOLD Coast will pull at least one Shanghai Surprise as it considers MRP challenges and risky selections for some of its biggest names ahead of Tuesday’s flight to China.

Steven May tries to shrug off Tom McDonald.

GOLD Coast will pull at least one Shanghai Surprise as they consider MRP challenges and risky selections for some of their biggest names ahead of tomorrow’s flight to China.

The Suns are considering challenging the one-match ban handed to Sam Day for a low blow to Demon Neville Jetta and are awaiting a tribunal ruling on Steven May for making contact with an umpire.

Then there will be the debate over the risk–reward ratio in selecting David Swallow and Peter Wright.

VERDICT: MAY TO FACE TRIBUNAL FOR UMP TOUCH

NEAFL: SUNS SECONDS GOALLESS FOR AN ENTIRE MATCH

DEFEAT: WHERE DOES HORROR RANK IN SUNS HISTORY

Swallow sat most of the final quarter of the 69-point loss to Melbourne covered in ice on the bench after copping a kick in the knee.

Although Dew said the final quarter rest should aid Swallow’s recovery and he expected he would be available, it is a risk for a player with significant long term knee injuries.

The Suns said last month when they ruled-out skipper Tom Lynch they needed to save him from himself and Swallow sits in the same category even if they desperately need his leadership.

Suns co-captain Steven May.

Gold Coast forward Sam Day.

He is banged up beyond his years and was basically run into the ground in the early years by a club that needed heavy lifters in the midfield.

Then there is Wright.

Dew declared after Saturday night’s loss to Melbourne that Wright needed another week in the NEAFL before he could be considered for selection – having played just two matches after a 9 week lay-off with a calf injury.

He certainly can’t make a case for forcing his selection through form having been part of a NEAFL side that went goalless.

However, should May and Day be absent the Suns would be seriously undersized.

Max Spencer is one automatic inclusion.

Footy manager Jon Haines confirmed that Wright was now “in the discussion” but said the club were giving serious thought to challenging the Day suspension.

Peter Wright at Gold Coast training. Picture: Richard Gosling

The Day incident was assessed as intentional conduct with low impact to the groin.

He also hinted they would challenge any suspension to May who was referred directly to the tribunal for making contact with umpire David Harris.

“I’m doing a bit or work on that now and we’ll have a look at it in the morning, we haven’t made any decisions yet,’’ he said.

Last year ended in a Shanghai Shame as the Suns failed to offer a whimper but Dew said the club could use it as a chance to galvanise and show the competition their spirit.

“We can, absolutely we can,’’ he said.

“It is another test, ever week AFL footy is a test, Port are coming from the same continent and going to the same place.

“We can absolutely get some information out of it and players should see it as a massive opportunity to show how resilient they are and how they can back up.’’

LIVE stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >

Originally published as Gold Coast weighing up tribunal challenge for Sam Day as Steven May faces umpire-touch verdict