Teenager Max Spencer will make his AFL debut for Gold Coast on Saturday night against Richmond, replacing the injured Steven May.
Co-captain May failed to overcome a hamstring injury suffered in the round 17 loss to Collingwood, withdrawing on Friday morning after struggling to complete training on Thursday night.
Gary Ablett is likely to return, however, training strongly after hamstring soreness ruled him out of the last round loss to Western Bulldogs.
Suns coach Rodney Eade described it as "the youngest defence ever" but the task will be made easier for 19-year-old Spencer thanks to the scratching of Richmond's Jack Riewoldt.
Key forward Riewoldt (eye) and former Suns midfielder Dion Prestia (knee/soreness) will both miss the clash at Metricon Stadium, where the hosts have been relatively successful this season.
Despite sitting 15th, the Suns are 4-4 at home, including wins over Geelong and West Coast.
The Suns are 3-3 against the fourth-placed Richmond since entering the competition in 2011.
Spencer's fellow 19-year-old Callum Ah Chee, a relative veteran with 26 AFL games under his belt, said the debutant would relish the opportunity.
"We're stoked for him; he's worked so hard and I can't wait for him to show what he can do against a top four side," Ah Chee said of the Palm Beach-Currumbin product.
"It helps having Jack out but they are such a well-rounded team you can't really take that for granted."
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is aware of the threat the Suns' pose on their home ground.
"They've beaten Geelong and West Coast up there and lost three games by 15 points or less," he said.
"They're a formidable outfit up there ... a different beast and their best is certainly good enough."
While the obvious task will be on stopping Tigers star Dustin Martin, Eade said it would be foolish to ignore his support cast.
"I think they're a pretty even side; Martin's a star but I think their A-graders are in really good form," the coach said.
"Alex Rance is an exceptional player, obviously Trent Cotchin is playing well and they've had some great continuity this season."
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