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Gold Coast have suffered a double setback ahead of Thursday's clash with AFL premiers Richmond, with Noah Anderson and Zac Smith both sidelined.

Richmond forward Tom Lynch and Gold Coast defender Sam Collins will reignite their hostile on-field relationship in Thursday night's AFL clash.

The rivals will return from respective injuries for the Suns-Tigers game at Marvel Stadium, moved from Metricon Stadium due to south-east Queensland's lockdown.

Lynch hasn't played since having knee surgery after round 10, but is back to boost the Tigers, who are clinging to their position in the top-eight following a shock 40-point loss to St Kilda last Friday.

Lynch, a former Suns co-captain, had a memorable fiery duel with Collins when the teams met last year, and was hit with a fine for striking.

Suns vice-captain Collins is back in after missing three games due to an ankle injury.

There are changes galore for both sides, with Tigers defenders Noah Balta and Nathan Broad sidelined until late in the season, star midfielder Dion Prestia out with hamstring tightness, while the versatile Kane Lambert (hip/calf) is also injured.

Premiership hero David Astbury is back in to bolster a depleted Tigers defence, and Nick Vlastuin (corked quad) and Mabior Chol (dislocated finger) have overcome injury issues to prove their fitness.

Gold Coast have suffered a double setback with Noah Anderson and Zac Smith both ruled out of the fixture.

Second-year midfielder Anderson, one of the Suns' most consistent players in an underwhelming 2021 season, suffered a fractured hand in the third quarter of last weekend's loss to North Melbourne in Hobart.

The 20-year-old underwent surgery earlier this week to stabilise the injury and is facing time away from the game which is dependent on how the injury heals.

Ruckman Smith will also be absent against the Tigers after reporting symptoms similar to a concussion during the week.

In more positive news for the Suns, who had to fly to Melbourne on Tuesday ahead of south-east Queensland's three-day COVID lockdown, co-captain David Swallow has been cleared to play after missing the Kangaroos clash with concussion.

Hardwick was keen to play Lynch alongside Chol, Callum Coleman-Jones and Jack Riewoldt as he works out his best forward mix.

"We think he's a strong possibility to play for us," Hardwick said.

"... At this stage I'd like to think that 'CJ' and 'Mabs' stay in, with the addition of Tom."