GARY Ablett plans to play less game time and float forward a little more this year as he looks at ways of prolonging his distinguished career.

The Gold Coast skipper played 20 matches in 2012, missing just two with a knee injury in rounds five and six.

That means Ablett has played 40 of a possible 44 games during his time with the SUNS, and has been heavily relied upon to carry the club's young side.

But on Tuesday at the annual captain's day at Etihad Stadium, Ablett toldAFL.com.au it was time to ease back on his own workload.

"I think my game time will probably lessen a little this year. Last year I played around 91-93 per cent (game time)," Ablett said.

"But this year I'll probably play 88-89 per cent, which over the season is a big difference.

"Hopefully it does add an extra year or two on to my career."

SUNS coach Guy McKenna has flagged that he wants to use Ablett more as a finisher, rather than provider, as he seeks to give the club's younger players increased responsibility this season.

After initially joking that McKenna hadn't yet filled him in on the plan, Ablett said he agreed it was the best step for the club's future prospects.

"I'm sure I will spend a bit more time down forward. We've got so many guys who can play through the midfield, so the more time the boys can play through there the more experience they're going to get, the better we're going to be in the future," Ablett said.

"It's probably something he'll talk to me about. He knows I'm happy to move forward or happy to play wherever is best for the team. Wherever that is - I'll play down back if I have to."

Ablett said he expects the club to be vastly improved in 2013.

"We've got so many talented players and a lot of them have trained really well this pre-season," Ablett said.

"They've really taken a step forward in their leadership as well.

"For us to be a successful side, they need to do that and I'm really excited about that."

Ablett also weighed in to the bubbling interchange debate, offering his own take on the proposed rule.

"It was good to trial in the NAB Cup, but my opinion is that I think they should probably keep it the same," Ablett said.

"The three and one (interchange system) hasn't been around for that long, so I think it should be kept in for a couple more years and if it needs to be changed down the track then do it then."