Guy McKenna stopped short of slamming the umpires for treatment of Gary Ablett in Gold Coast's win over Melbourne on Saturday night, but his body language spoke volumes.

Ablett, playing his 250th game, was kept to a season-low 19 disposals by close-checking Demon Jordie McKenzie who seemed to get under the skin of the Brownlow medalist.

Ablett was jostled and grappled at most stoppages and had more than a few quiet words with the umpires during breaks in play.

When asked if he was happy with the attention Ablett received, seemingly aware he would face a fine if he spoke his mind, McKenna turned to the Suns media officer and said: "How much money have you got?"

McKenna then revealed he has been in talks with the umpire's boss for the past two months about the matter and seemed infuriated at the lack of progress.

"I'm in constant conversation with Jeff Gieschen and have been for probably the last six-to-eight weeks," McKenna said.

"It's a work in progress."

Opposite number Neil Craig could not have been happier with the outcome, praising McKenzie and defender Colin Garland – who manned Ablett when he went forward – for their attention to detail.

Craig said he saw nothing wrong with Ablett's treatment.

"As long as they play within the rules. Umpires are there to adjudicate the rules," Craig said.

"We all know where Gary stands in the competition, and the history of the competition for that fact. 

"Jordie McKenzie is a very determined, disciplined young man. I thought his teammates as well, maybe for the first time since I've been at the footy club, have joined in to help there."

McKenzie described it as a "great battle" and said Melbourne had no preconceived plans to ruffle Ablett's feathers.

"We didn't make a special note to do that," McKenzie said. 

"We aimed to come out and be more physical in general and put more pressure on the opposition … there was no set plan, but over the night our aggression around the footy was better than what it has been."