The two sides have made 12 changes between them with the Bombers inclusions headlined by Zach Merrett.

Michael Hurley will miss for the first time this year, while Jarryd Lyons joins the long injury list at Gold Coast.

Essendon premiership player Dean Solomon will coach the Suns against his former side.

You can read Robert Shaw's preview here.

The weather

Clear but windy with a top of 21.

The history

R21, 2016, Essendon 11.9 (75) d Gold Coast 9.15 (69) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2016, Gold Coast 17.19 (121) d Essendon 9.6 (60) at Metricon Stadium
R21, 2015, Gold Coast 14.13 (97) d Essendon 14.11 (95) at Metricon Stadium
R22, 2014, Essendon 16.12 (108) d Gold Coast 13.11 (89) at Etihad Stadium
R12, 2013, Essendon 17.13 (115) d Gold Coast 11.6 (72) at Etihad Stadium 
 

The Teams

Gold Coast

In: P. Hanley, K. Brooksby, B. Fiorini, J. Lonergan, J. Leslie, M. Hallahan

Out: D. Currie (foot), S. Lemmens (ankle), J. Lyons (ankle), J. Scrimshaw, A. Sexton, J. Bowes

B: J. Harbrow, S. May, T. McKenzie

HB:  J. Joyce, J. Leslie, A. Saad

C: P. Hanley, A. Hall, M. Rosa

HF: B. Fiorini, J. Martin, C. Ah Chee

F: D. Macpherson, P. Wright, B. Ainsworth

R: K. Brooksby, T. Miller, D. Swallow

I: M. Spencer, J. Schoenfeld, J. Lonergan, M. Hallahan

E: M. Rischitelli, M. Willis, B. Scheer

Essendon

In: Josh Begley, Craig Bird, Tom Bellchambers, Michael Hartley, Mark Baguley, Zach Merrett.

Out: Jobe Watson (managed), Matthew Leuenberger (ankle), Ben Howlett, Michael Hurley (calf), Travis Colyer, Matt Dea

New: Josh Begley (Eastern Ranges)

B: Andrew McGrath, Michael Hartley. James Kelly

HB: Brendon Goddard, Patrick Ambrose, Conor McKenna

C: Zach Merrett, Craig Bird, Dyson Heppell

HF: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Cale Hooker, Martin Gleeson

F: Jayden Laverde, Joe Daniher, James Stewart

R: Tom Bellchambers, David Zaharakis, Darcy Parish

I: Mark Baguley, Josh Green, Josh Begley, David Myers

E: Ben Howlett, Shaun McKernan, Matt Dea

Key notes

- With Michael Hurley out, Michael Hartley will have the big job on Suns key forward Peter Wright who has booted 28 goals this season.

- Look for Patrick Ambrose to spend time on Jack Martin.  The Suns forward kicked four goals from seven shots last week.  His speed is an asset but he also plays well in the air having taken eight or more marks eight times this season.

- Zach Merrett was best on ground last time these two sides met.  He finished with 38 disposals and four clearances in his first win as stand-in Essendon Captain.