The Gold Coast Suns have welcomed back three of their most promising youngsters for a clash with the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.

Kade Kolodjashnij, Jesse Lonergan and Jacob Heron have all been named for the Round 18 fixture at the expense of David Swallow (managed), Jack Martin (calf) and Josh Schoenfeld (omitted).

Gold Coast coach and former Sydney assistant coach Stuart Dew said the trio would give the 17^th-placed Suns a big boost.

“Jesse, in particular, has always been doing the right things and is just looking for those opportunities, so we look forward to getting him back in the side and welcome him into the midfield,” Dew told the Gold Coast Suns website.

“Kolodjashnij obviously has fought his way back too. He’s had a really solid month and we were always keen to give him an opportunity to cement his spot in the side again.

“Heron brings something that we need and that is real speed. I think he can play flexible, whether it’s forward, wing or back. His attitude has always been great and it’s held him in good stead.”

A host of youngsters will run out alongside the three returning stars as the Suns aim for a return to the winners’ circle.

Midfielder Touk Miller is one of Gold Coast’s most dangerous weapons, with his outstanding two-way running, exemplary poise under pressure and immense defensive pressure holding him in good stead during the early days of his career.

Rising on-baller Will Brodie continually puts his head over contested ball and hands off possession to his side’s free-wheeling outside runners, while young backman Lachie Weller is another of Gold Coast’s brightest up-and-comers.

The former Docker took out Fremantle’s best first-year player award in 2016 and an AFL Rising Star nomination in his debut season.

Blossoming big men Brayden Crossley and Peter Wright will provide Gold Coast with key targets forward of the ball, while they’ll also offer Jarrod Witts pinch-hitting support in the ruck in a duel with towering Swans Callum Sinclair and Darcy Cameron.

In a cruel blow for Gold Coast, powerhouse forward Tom Lynch (knee) was ruled out for the remainder of the season in late June and will therefore not face Sydney.

Either Steven May or Rory Thompson will be tasked with stopping star Sydney forward Lance Franklin, but Dew says the Swans’ forward-line threats aren’t limited to the 902-goal juggernaut.

“Ronke’s a competitor and really fast,” Dew said.

“Papley’s come back into a bit of form and we know Heeney can hit the scoreboard and also Parker as well if they play him forward.

“I think it’s a bit of a shallow view to think Franklin is the only one to be wary of. They’ve certainly got some firepower.”

The Suns have won just three games this season and lost 13, but have given a number of sides a shake to show they’re better than their record suggests.

A barnstorming midfield performance saw Gold Coast create 10 scoring opportunities in the first quarter of its match with Essendon last Saturday, a sure sign the Suns have an on-ball brigade capable of doing damage.

The Suns will be eyeing their first-ever win over the Swans on Saturday, with the clubs having met on eight occasions since Gold Coast joined the competition in 2011.

Sydney notched a 67-point victory when the two sides last met at the SCG in Round 16, 2017.