Tune into the SUNS TV player to hear more from Coach Bluey McKenna
 

Gary Ablett is the only certain Gold Coast SUNS starter for round one says coach Guy McKenna, making Saturday's NAB Cup match against Greater Western Sydney a virtual trial for positions.??

McKenna is disappointed with his team's form in the pre-season and said aside from Ablett and vice-captain Nathan Bock - suspended for the first two matches of the home and away season - no player had cemented their spot.

??The GC SUNS coach was so concerned with his team's 49-point loss against Geelong last week, he has taken a more experienced team to Albury than he planned.

??Bock was going to be rested, but McKenna said his team needed as much time together as possible before the March 31 season opener against Adelaide.?

"Last week was disappointing so plans have changed," McKenna said.??

"Our mindset for this week was to take some kids down there that probably weren't going to get much of an opportunity but based on Friday's performance we thought it was necessary to keep the boys together. ??"We need to get that cohesion and chemistry better, so why waste this opportunity?

"??Aside from Ablett and the injured Trent McKenzie (knee) and Brandon Matera (adductor), the GC SUNS will send arguably their strongest line-up to take on the Giants.??

McKenna refused to promise positions to even the most experienced SUNS.??"I think no-one's a walk-up start," he said.??

"The situation we're at, there's two standouts that have enough credits on the board that would be walk-up starts which would be Ablett and Bock. ??"After that, everyone's position is up for grabs. If your attitude is right, your form's good, your fitness is good, you're playing. If it's not, you put yourself at risk of not playing."

Hawthorn premiership player Campbell Brown has recovered from a broken pelvis he sustained late last season, but McKenna said like everyone else, he had a battle to ensure his position.

??"If he plays well, he's a chance to play next week and if his form holds up he'll be as good an opportunity to play round one as anyone else," he said.

??Jaeger O'Meara is a late withdrawal with illness. 

Tune into SUNS TV for the match report and video highlights package after the match.