Premiership player Nick Malceski will strengthen Gold Coast’s backline for Friday night’s NAB Challenge clash with Adelaide.

The former Swan is among eight players included in a 27-man squad for the club’s final pre-season game at Metricon Stadium.

All Australian Malceski is joined by key backmen Rory Thompson and Steven May as well as rebounding defender Kade Kolodjashnij.

Experienced midfield duo Matt Rosa and Michael Rischitelli also return to the squad, which includes tall forward Tom Lynch and ruckman Tom Nicholls.

Gold Coast’s squad will be trimmed to 24 players on Friday ahead of the opening bounce.

Read: Big names back for Adelaide

Gold Coast’s squad
3. Matt Rosa
4. Jack Martin
5. Jarrod Harbrow
6. Alex Sexton
7. Nick Malceski
11. Touk Miller
12. Sam Day
13. Callum Ah Chee
14. Mitch Hallahan
15. Dan Currie
16. Rory Thompson
17. Steven May
18. Trent McKenzie
19. Tom Lynch
22. Tom Nicholls
23. Sean Lemmens
26. Matt Shaw
27. Clay Cameron
28. Kade Kolodjashnij
30. Peter Wright
31. Keegan Brooksby
32. Brandon Matera
33. Aaron Hall
35. Michael Rischitelli
39. Ryan Davis
40. Tom Keough
42. Adam Saad

IN: Rosa, Malceski, Thompson, May, Lynch, Nicholls, Kolodjashnij, Rischitelli
OUT: Russell, Schade, Leslie, Fiorini, Lonergan, Garlett, Macpherson