Ben Ainsworth and George Horlin-Smith will mount cases for returns to a winning Gold Coast side this weekend as coach Stuart Dew welcomes the novelty of an AFL selection headache.
Stocks were thin for the bulk of the coach's debut 2018 season but the worm has turned in 2019, with back-to-back wins following a one-point loss to St Kilda to open the campaign.
Small forward Ainsworth (knee) was set to miss up to six weeks after his opening-round injury while defender Horlin-Smith (back) has also been sidelined during the club's winning fortnight.
But both trained well on Wednesday and, if they impress again in Friday's main session, will be seriously discussed at the selection table ahead of Sunday's Metricon Stadium date with Carlton.
Exciting draft pick-up Izak Rankine (hamstring) has also resumed running as he eyes a NEAFL berth in coming weeks.
Alex Sexton and Jesse Joyce have prospered at either ends of the park in their absence, leaving Dew with plenty to ponder.
"He's actually a chance, Benny. It's come to hand really quickly and he's looked after himself," the coach said.
"It'll be a headache come later in the week, hopefully it's a good one."
Carlton are winless this season but knocked off Gold Coast on their last visit north and pose a significant threat based on what they've offered up in tight losses this season.
"They're playing a hard brand of footy, they're pressuring the opposition and might argue they haven't got the reward for effort," Dew said.
"The challenge now is to handle the expectation and go through the process and come ready to play.
"We can't hang on to the baggage of a different group (that lost to them last year). Even though it was only 12 months ago, it's a different group now."
