Geelong has made four changes to its line-up to take on Gold Coast Suns in the Sir Doug Nicholls Round opener in Darwin.

Key forward Shannon Neale and ruck Toby Conway return to the team, while Jack Bowes is back after being managed last week and Tanner Bruhn has been given the green light to play after missing last week with a shoulder injury.

The quartet step into the side for Tom Hawkins (managed), Mitch Duncan (managed), Rhys Stanley (managed) and Jeremy Cameron (concussion protocols).

To celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the Cats will be wearing the ‘Layers of the Land’ guernsey, designed by Keerray Woorroong and Yorta Yorta woman Sherry Johnstone. Find out more about the guernsey here.

Geelong takes on Gold Coast this Thursday at TIO Stadium in Darwin, with first bounce at 7.00pm ACST. Watch via Channel 7, Foxtel and Kayo or listen via K rock Football.

For further match details, click here. 

Round 10

Gold Coast Suns v Geelong Cats
TIO Stadium, Darwin – Larrakia
7.00pm ACST Thursday 16 May

In:  Jack Bowes, Tanner Bruhn, Shannon Neale, Toby Conway
Out: Mitch Duncan (managed), Tom Hawkins (managed), Rhys Stanley (managed), Jeremy Cameron (concussion protocols)

Geelong has recorded a 64-point loss to the Gold Coast Suns in their Round 10 Sir Doug Nicholls Round game at TIO Stadium in Darwin on Thursday night.

The Suns handled the hot and slippery conditions better than the Cats to run out convincing 26.8 (164) to 15.10 (100) winners.

SUNS v CATS Full match coverage and stats

Geelong was lethal on the counter in the opening term with four of their five goals coming from turnover to help them to a three-point lead at quarter time.

From that moment onwards the game was dominated by the Suns as Noah Anderson, Sam Flanders and Matt Rowell registered more than 35 disposals each.

Their dominance in the middle and across half back saw their forwards get some great looks and they shared the load, with Jack Lukosius and Bailey Humphrey kicking five majors apiece as the Suns recorded their highest score in AFL history.

Max Holmes worked tirelessly for the Cats finishing with a team-high 32 disposals, seven clearances and a goal. Gryan Miers was another who kept fighting until the end with 29 disposals and kicking two goals.

Tom Stewart (21 disposals, 13 intercepts) and Tyson Stengle (13 disposals, 3 goals) were other solid contributors. 

There were some encouraging signs from some of Geelong’s youngsters too with Ollie Dempsey registering a career-high 25 disposals, and ruck Toby Conway had 21 disposals to go with 25 hitouts and a game-high 10 clearances.

Geelong will now have a nine-day break to reset and prepare for their Round 11 clash with the GWS Giants at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday 25 May.

GOLD COAST             4.3       11.5     19.7     26.8 (164)
GEELONG       5.0       6.2       8.7       15.10 (100)

GOALS
Gold Coast: Humphrey 5, Lukosius 5, King 4, Day 3, Swallow 2, Long 2, Anderson 2, Rowell, Jeffrey, Ainsworth
Geelong: Stengle 3, Neale 2, Miers 2, Henry 2, Tuohy, Rohan, Holmes, Close, Clark, Bruhn

BEST
Gold Coast: Rowell, Anderson, Lukosius, Humphrey, Miller, Flanders
Geelong: Holmes, Miers, Stewart, Stengle

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Andrew (leg)
Geelong: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Gold Coast: Nil
Geelong: Sam De Koning (injured) replaced in selected side by Zach Tuohy

SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast: Alex Davies (replaced Mac Andrew at half-time)
Geelong: Jhye Clark (replaced Cam Guthrie during the third quarter)

Crowd: 12,112 at TIO Stadium