Gold Coast SUNS star Gary Ablett appears likely to enter the season without having played in a practice match, but the news is better for another big signing with Nathan Bock cleared to have his first competitive hit out with the GC SUNS at the weekend.

Bock, 27, will play against the Sydney Swans at Southport on Saturday after shaking an ankle injury, but skipper Ablett, who has nursed a sore groin through pre-season, will miss again as he continues a modified training program.

GC SUNS Coach Guy McKenna has welcomed his first chance to see the All Australian defender in action and would like to do the same with Ablett, but is unfazed at the prospect of his continued absence.

"You'd like to think [he'd play a practice game], but with where his body is at at the moment, it's about getting the miles into his legs and getting the soreness out," McKenna said on Wednesday.

"He's on a program that's designed to get some miles into his legs and if he ticks that over and he feels comfortable and he gets a game in, then great.

"I was asked the question the other day … 'Would you be worried about his touch going into round two if he hasn't had a NAB Cup game?'

"You're talking about one of the better players of the modern era - I don't think touch will be an issue with Gary. It's more about getting enough miles in his legs so he can get through a season. That's our big concern."

Gold Coast SUNS has a bye in round one and will kick off its inaugural AFL season against Carlton at the Gabba the following week.

Former Brisbane Lions utility Jared Brennan has also been absent from the GC SUNS pre-season campaign and faces an uphill battle to get a practice match under his belt.

"The next two weeks will be fairly intensive for him to see where his body's at," McKenna said.

"If he gets through that he might sneak a game in, but someone like him tends to go for the ball one-handed anyway. He's quite a good touch player, so it's not a concern."

Karmichael Hunt, who has impressed in a defensive role, is sore after a big pre-season and will be rested this week while ruckman Zac Smith is working to overcome bone bruising on a heel, but is a chance to play the following week, McKenna says.