The Gold Coast SUNS midfield division looked foreign on Saturday afternoon.

No Gary Ablett, no Jaeger O’Meara or Dion Prestia. New recruit Mitch Hallahan was absent, along with stalwarts Jarrod Harbow and Michael Rischitelli.

With essentially a first string on-ball brigade missing, a full strength Giants midfield took the honours in Blacktown despite the best effort of SUNS leader David Swallow who was one of Gold Coast’s shining lights in the 36-point loss.

Preparations for the home and away season are increasing in intensity as round one draws nearer. A NEAFL practice match this weekend and a final full dress rehearsal against Brisbane in the NAB Challenge series on Friday March 20 at Metricon Stadium are all that sits between now and the opening game on April 4 at the MCG.

An influx of stars are expected to return to the field in the next two weekends with game time a priority ahead of the season proper. Depth across the board, in particularly in the midfield, is pivotal to success.

Swallow told goldcoastfc.com.au following the Giants game he saw the benefit in exposing inexperienced and untried prospects in the opening two NAB Challenge fixtures.

“I think obviously the boys that are playing at the moment keep putting their hand up. You never know, we’re probably going to need them at some stage,” he said.

“I think just getting a bit of match fitness into them (is important for the players returning from injury), there’s obviously a fair few to come back in.”

Adam Saad’s impressive start to his career on the Gold Coast has come at no surprise to Swallow. The rookie followed up his eye catching pre-season debut in Townsville with a more rounded performance against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday afternoon.

“He hasn’t taken me by surprise that he’s played well, he’s trained really well since he’s come in,” Swallow said.

“But he’s just exciting when he gets the footy, you never know what he’s going to do with it.

“He takes the game on, which is what we need, especially coming out of defence. He opens the game up really well.”