Guy Mckenna

It's time to find out what life is like without Gaz.

Instead of seeing injuries to skipper Gary Ablett and fellow senior players Michael Rischitelli and Jarrod Harbrow as a nightmare scenario, SUNS coach Guy McKenna can only see opportunity.

McKenna, who will take the youngest SUNS squad yet to Melbourne to take on the Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, says he welcomes the challenge the young side will face against a fierce finals bound opponent.

"This is their chance, no one else is going to do it for them,'' he said.

"Because Gary is such a great player and we're such a young side it is only natural the boys can become a bit too conscious of him out there.

"So, as much as we'd love to have him this weekend, it gives the rest of the boys the chance to roll up their sleeves and go and get the footy for themselves.''

McKenna said that although things might seem tough at present, every experience was preparing the players for a tilt at a flag in the coming years.

He pointed to his old club West Coast, who slipped to the wooden spoon in 2010 and are now threatening for a premiership, as an example of the value of lessons leaned the hard way.

"Great sides are made in tough times,'' he said.

"West Coast went through it, so did Geelong.

"That is where we are at, every contest for us is a learning curve.''

Rischitelli was named in the original SUNS side released on Thursday night but McKenna admitted he faced a major battle to take his place and was more likely to join his skipper on the sidelines.

Although that leaves a gaping hole in the midfield, McKenna said the absence of Harbrow should not be understated.

"Everyone has been talking about Ablett, but in a way Harbrow has been the Gary Ablett of our defence,'' he said.

"With Bockie suspended for the first couple of weeks and playing forward a bit, Jarrod has taken on a huge responsibility.

"He is our number one small defender and he will be sadly missed.''