Gold Coast is confident Gary Ablett can get back near his best in 2017, with the two-time Brownlow medallist likely to spend more time as a small forward.
Ablett has battled injury since dislocating his left shoulder against Collingwood in round 16, 2014.
After managing just six games in 2015 – a left medial ligament tear sidelined him for the final six rounds – Ablett played 14 of the SUNS' first 15 games last season before again dislocating his left shoulder against the Brisbane Lions in round 16.
Ablett underwent a second shoulder reconstruction last July, but is on track to return in the latter stages of the upcoming JLT Community Series.
SUNS coach Rodney Eade told AFL.com.au the eight-time All Australian had enjoyed a "terrific" pre-season that suggested he was set for a strong season.
READ: Rodney Eade Q&A
"He came back and has done a lot of work. He's done every session, is running really well, and has done the match simulation without being involved in the tackling stuff," Eade said.
"I was interested in how his shoulder would be, rather than his actual running fitness, and it was in good shape when he got back. He's just about back to full strength on all the rotations and measurements they do.
"He'll start contact training on Monday week and could be right for round two of the JLT Community Series, but I think he'll just play round three and be right from there.
"The operation he had strengthened that shoulder, and given the way he's trained I'm reasonably confident he'll have a good year and play the season out."
Ablett has been one of the competition's elite on-ballers since moving into the midfield in 2007.
However, the 32-year-old has played mostly in attack during match simulation this pre-season, reprising the small forward role he played in his first five seasons with Geelong.
READ: Fiorini prepared to earn place in midfield
Eade says Ablett will remain a key member of Gold Coast's midfield rotations in 2017, but is likely to be a regular fixture inside the SUNS' forward 50 too.
Given his speed, strength and freakish goal sense, Ablett shapes as a nightmare match-up for rival teams, with the SUNS believed to view him as a potential 50-goal-a-season forward.
If Ablett's left shoulder holds up, the rest of his body remains sound. Eade has seen no signs – and is supported by the club's GPS data – that the veteran has not lost "anything in terms of his dynamic stuff around the contest".
And Ablett has appeared happier this summer than at any time since Eade became coach in October 2014.
"He's been cracking jokes, laughing and giving really good direction on the training track. He's been good for the younger players and training exceptionally well," Eade says.
