Adelaide beware – Gold Coast SUNS captain Gary Ablett has not forgotten last year's loss to the Crows and is adamant the Suns can turn the tables on Saturday.
In round 22 last season, Adelaide came to Metricon Stadium and blew the game open with a nine-goal first quarter on the way to a 61-point win.
Midfielder Scott Thompson ran riot with 51 disposals – the second most since statistics were kept - and Ablett said the entire Gold Coast SUNS engine room wanted to set the record straight.
He said Gold Coast SUNS had left no stone unturned with its preparation for both Thompson and the rejuvenated Crows.
"It was embarrassing for our midfield to let a player get that many possessions and we've definitely talked about that this time, and we're going to try and make sure that doesn't happen again," Ablett said.
"There's no doubt he's a good player and he's hard to stop but we've come up with a few plans and hopefully it works on Saturday."
The Brownlow medallist said he had kept a close eye on Adelaide through the Crows' successful NAB Cup run, orchestrated by new coach and Ablett's former Geelong teammate and assistant coach Brenton Sanderson.
Ablett said he had noticed a definite change in Adelaide's game-plan.
"I think the biggest change for them this year is just taking the game on," he said.
"I know they're using the corridor more than in previous years and I think their defence has definitely gone to another level.
"We've looked at a lot of tapes and a lot of edits of just how they've changed their game style - we've got a plan and hopefully that plan works and we get a win.
"It's definitely going to be a very challenging game for us, there's no doubt about that."
After a patchy pre-season of their own, Ablett said he was feeling better about the GC SUNS chances after a strong last-start showing against the Sydney Swans, which they lost by 19 points after being level late in the match.
He said entering the club's second season, the only pressure was coming internally.
"Outside they'll have certain expectations but we've got our own expectations. It's hard to put a number on how many games we'll win but I think if we improve and keep moving forward as a club that's important," he said.
"I think the biggest challenge from last year is playing four consistent quarters. I think if we can do that we'll win more games than we lose."
After his stellar first season with Gold Coast, the two-time premiership player said his pre-season was one of the best of his 10-year career.
"Last year I got up here and didn't get much of a pre-season into me so I'm a lot more confident in myself that I can come out and improve on last year and help the team improve as well," he said.
