By Michael Whiting and Paul Daffey
GARY Ablett and Michael Rischitelli both trained strongly on Wednesday, but Gold Coast SUNS coach Guy McKenna said neither would be risked this weekend unless they were 100 per cent fit.
Ablett (knee) and Rischitelli (ankle) have missed the past two matches but got through a full 90-minute session at Metricon Stadium on Wednesday morning.
McKenna said "at this stage" both would play against GWS in Canberra on Saturday, but if they pulled up poorly in the next 48 hours, would not be risked.
"If it was a week out before the finals you may consider it, or if it was a finals game, you'd probably do it," McKenna said.
"If there's any chance of long-term (injury) or blokes getting injections to play, they won't be playing that's for sure.
"Do we feel we have to get these best players in to beat GWS? That's definitely not the thinking."
Ablett's right knee was heavily strapped during training but he ran at top speed, moved well to balls on the ground and even flew once or twice to take marks.
The playful SUNS skipper was in good spirits as he left the ground, limping off on crutches with a little smirk to the onlooking media.
Jared Brennan (knee) also ran strongly after injuring himself against Fremantle last weekend, while young onball star David Swallow watched from the sidelines.
"I think he's (Swallow) fairly confident [of playing] and we'll assess that on Friday," McKenna said.
After competitive displays against North Melbourne and Fremantle in the past fortnight, McKenna said he was confident whoever ran out against the Giants could do the job.
Rather than the young players standing aside and watching Ablett weave his magic – as he did in the first month of the season – McKenna said they had learnt to take on the extra responsibility in his absence.
"It's easier to bring him in. He's made the comment to me already, he doesn't feel the added pressure of leadership, captaincy, the way he performs, to actually be there," McKenna said.
"I'm sure he's comfortable leaving Harley (Bennell) in there and doing what he's done.
"The fact these boys, in some cases have 15, 20 games under their belt, they're more mature to handle the situation.
"The biggest risk will be Gary trying to exert himself on the game and the contest. I think now Gary understands clearly these boys can do this now."
McKenna earlier said he was considering playing Ablett more up forward when he returns, to give the SUNS young midfielders greater opportunity to develop in the engine room.
"I had a chat with Gary about it yesterday," McKenna said on SEN's Morning Glory program on Wednesday.
"He said, 'I'm really confident I can now spend time away from the midfield and go forward, sit out on the wing, roll behind the ball.'
"He said it because he's got more confidence in Dion Prestia, David Swallow and Josh Caddy and these blokes getting the ball forward for us."
McKenna said Michael Coad would play against the Giants on Saturday after being elevated to the senior list with Nathan Bock's (broken leg) long-term injury.
