Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna is backing his star captain to be fit and ready for the side’s season opener against Richmond. 

The match-winning midfielder was not named in team’s final practice match against Collingwood, with club officials opting to rest Gary Ablett to ensure he fully recovered from a corked calf. 

Unfortunately, after having already been ruled out for the pre-season clash, Ablett sustained an unlikely injury at home, burning his right hand while cooking. 

But McKenna put to bed any speculation the reigning Brownlow winner would be in doubt for Round 1, telling reporters the injury was only minor and that it would not restrict him from taking his place in the midfield next fortnight.

“Geoff Walsh (North Melbourne Director of Football) once said bakers bake, plumbers plumb, and footballers play football.

“He burnt himself on the top of his hand, not underneath his hand so it’s not going to affect him,” McKenna confirmed.

Jokingly, McKenna said he would asking Jordan, Ablett’s girlfriend, for a “please explain” over his player’s culinary skills. 

“I thought I saw Jordan in the crowd, I’ll have to speak to her to say – C’mon, just let Gary play football, no cooking please,” he smirked.

“No more impressing your girlfriend or anything.”