By Michael Whiting

Gold Coast SUNS began their pre-season training on Monday morning, but Tom Hickey and Joshua Toy - the subjects of trade speculation - were nowhere to be seen.

All SUNS players with eight years of experience or under had their first session of the pre-season on a hot and humid Gold Coast day at Carrara.

But Hickey (who has been linked to St Kilda) and Toy (who has fielded interest from a number of Victorian clubs) were notable absentees.

Both have been given the week off while their futures are decided.

While not keen to speculate on the future of either, the SUNS have maintained throughout the Gillette AFL Trade Period they would seek the best deal for both club and player.

Following the delisting of four players last week, Gold Coast SUNS have its list at the right number before the October 31 first list lodgment.

Each player will remain at the SUNS if a deal cannot be struck.

While Hickey and Toy were both missing in action, one surprise packet at the session was captain Gary Ablett.

Ablett was not due to rejoin the team until their two-week altitude training camp in Arizona, which they leave for on Sunday.

However, the Brownlow medallist was in good spirits, cracking jokes with a number of teammates.

He did some simple handballing and banana kicks from the boundary line, while the rest of the group completed a searching running session.

"He's done it every year he's been captain," coach Guy McKenna said.

It's typical of Gazza's keenness to make sure we finished off the season well last year, and to maintain that momentum.

He left the training track early to get some physio on a tight back.