We reveal when Gold Coast Suns trio Izak Rankine, Rory Thompson and draftee Sam Flanders will appear at AFL level

Three players could make an in-form Gold Coast side even better and the Suns have indicated when fans could see them.

THREE players could make an in-form Gold Coast side even better and the Suns have indicated when fans could see them.

The Suns football department will already have a number of selection headaches to contend with given their 44-point win over West Coast and we cover off on three key players who could put themselves in the frame for selection in this week’s episode of The Heat Room, to be released tomorrow .

Big name recruit Brandon Ellis (calf) and David Swallow (suspension) are walk up starts when they return but but with former no. 3 draft pick Izak Rankine, key defender Rory Thompson and draftee Sam Flanders all waiting in the wings, Gold Coast could be bolstered further.

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Suns football manager Jon Haines revealed Rankine would make his return to football this weekend when Gold Coast’s reserves play Adelaide in a scratch match while Rory Thompson could join him this week or the next as he prepares to make his long-awaited return from an ACL injury.

“We will see how Rory’s training goes this week,” Haines said.

Izak Rankine is seen during a Gold Coast Suns training session at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, Wednesday, June 10, 2020. The Suns are training for their round 2 AFL match against the West Coast Eagles on the Gold Coast on Saturday. (AAP Image/Darren England)

“If he doesn’t play this week he will play the week after. Izak will have a run around this weekend.

“It’s difficult to judge how many games Rory will need before playing in the AFL again.

“More than likely two or three. Physically, he is in good condition.

“Structurally the knee is really sound. He has ticked off physical benchmarks, it’s more the mental aspect given it’s been 18 months.

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“He is in a good spot mentally.

“Izak has done a power of work over a period of time so we will just see how many actual game-like situations he needs before he is ready to play. We wouldn’t think it would be too far away before he put his hand up for selection.”

Flanders, pick 11 at last year’s draft, came close to earning his debut last weekend and impressed in Gold Coast’s reserves game against the Eagles, putting him on the cusp of senior selection.

The Gold Coast Suns 2019 new recruits and draftees. Sam Flanders. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Sam Flanders was very close on the weekend. We think he isn’t far away,” Haines said.

“He has definitely made great strides over the pre-season and then over the shut down period as well.

“He has worked on his running and worked on his physical preparation.

“He will definitely be in selection frame for the next few weeks.

“He will play primarily forward but he will evolve into more of a mid-forward over time.”