Gary Ablett will remain a Suns midfielder. Source: News Limited
GARY Ablett is no certainty to get a forward line "holiday'' in 2014, with Suns coach Guy McKenna admitting he'd be crazy to move the game's best player from the vital midfield battle.
Following last season the dual Brownlow Medallist hinted he may follow in his famous father's footsteps and march further upfield to prolong his career.
The move would also be a major vote of confidence for the Gold Coast's fleet of youngsters, now deemed ready to fight their own battles in the AFL.
Yet McKenna is still to be convinced the change would benefit his side, acknowledging the game-breaking credentials of 29-year-old Ablett.
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"If he's saying that (he wants to play forward) that tells me he's more comfortable in the ability of the playing group,'' McKenna said of the Gold Coast's games and goals record-holder.
"But the year Gary has had I'm not so sure I want him to go forward and have a holiday yet.
"He is still a great player and as much as we need to look after him he was so crucial in helping improve key stats for us.
"That's something we may look at but we know how big an influence he can have on matches when he's on the ball.''
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McKenna, though, remains confident he has the cattle if and when Ablett heads off to pasture.
After a nine-day trip to Arizona over the festive period, the club returned to pre-season training on Monday with a full complement of talent on board.
During their 8-14 campaign last year, the Suns burned through 42 players as the lighter frames were exposed against hardened footballers.
But with steady improvements across three seasons in the AFL, McKenna expects a greater return from the core band of teenagers first assembled on the Gold Coast.
"We won't do our official testing (on fitness levels) until Friday but with your eye you can see how much fitter and stronger those young boys are,'' McKenna said.
"Guys like Dion Prestia and David Swallow, these blokes have come back and haven't disappointed each year.
"We are still not doing our full pre-season yet so that's the scary thing. Those boys that started as 18 or 19-year-olds are getting bigger and stronger.
"Those younger boys should be able to stand up and compete better. We don't expect to go from using 42 players to 32, but if we can have a bit of luck and get down to about 35 it means we won't be as stretched.''
McKenna says Karmichael Hunt is on track for more playing time in 2014 after persistent niggles restricted the code-hopper to just nine matches last season.
"We don't want him to lose any more weight and he's running the best he's ever run,'' he said.
"He was unlucky with injuries last season but we see him having a big role with us this season.''
The Suns kick off their NAB Cup campaign against Essendon at Metricon Stadium on February 17.
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