Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Gold Coast Suns vs Hawthorn has gained extra selection intrigue, with former captain Jarrod Witts, Nick Holman and debutant Beau Addinsall named for Friday night’s AFL clash on the Gold Coast.

The Suns have dropped Ben Jepson, Charlie Ballard and Lachlan Gulbin after three straight losses, while Hawthorn regain Tom Barrass and Harry Morrison. The match matters because both clubs need a response after recent defeats and growing pressure around form.

For more AFL team news, read AFL Round 15 Teams: Scott Pendlebury Rested As Tom Liberatore Returns For Western Bulldogs, while official fixture details are available through the AFL match centre.

Suns Strengthen Their Ruck Mix

Jarrod Witts is a clear inclusion for Gold Coast Suns as they prepare to face Hawthorn’s ruck pairing of Ned Reeves and Lloyd Meek.

Witts can support Ned Moyle in a contest that could shape centre clearances and territory. Gold Coast Suns will also hope Nick Holman brings pressure around the ball, while Beau Addinsall gets his first chance at AFL level.

The Suns’ loss to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium added to outside noise about the club, but Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell pushed back on that talk.

"They're not going to be the last team that go down to GMHBA (Stadium) and don't come away with four points," Mitchell said of Gold Coast's loss last Friday night to Geelong.

''There's a lot being made of not that much about them."

Hawthorn Back Sicily And Watson

Hawthorn enter the match after giving up a lead against Western Bulldogs before their mid-season bye.

The Hawks kicked 1.11 after half-time in that loss, while Nick Watson and captain James Sicily both drew attention for how they handled close checking from opponents.

"He's actually playing quite good footy. He obviously had a bit of attention and didn't handle it as well he might have on other days," Mitchell said of Sicily.

"He's been really solid across the year. He hasn't had that 40-possession, 18-intercept (game), but he's been very, very consistent and he's playing as (well) as he has across his whole career."

Mitchell also backed Watson’s confidence after his half-time television comment against Western Bulldogs.

"Would he have learned a lesson out of that? Of course. Would he do it again? Maybe," the Hawks coach said of the TV interview.

"Nick Watson's attitude is 'I can play on anyone and they can try to play on me, but good luck'. It didn't work on that occasion."