“We have to keep moving forward,” Ablett said.
“We’ve had a pretty tough four weeks against the top sides in the competition and I think most people can now see the improvement in the side from the last two years.
“The great thing about these young boys is they want to learn because you see them doing all the extras, and I have no doubt that eventually it will translate into on-field success in the future.”
The Gold Coasters came mighty close to achieving the almost impossible on foreign turf against Hawthorn and Geelong, and while McKenna’s charges weren’t able to seal the deal against the pre-season premiership favourites, Ablett said the GC SUNS encouraging performances against the top-of-the-ladder heavyweights would inject a mountain of experience to the club’s young crop of talent that are edging towards the magic 50 games mark.
And while the Gold Coast’s post-bye matches against Adelaide and Brisbane promises to be a physical contest for McKenna’s best available 22, Ablett likes his team’s chances against the embattled AFL rivals.
“You look at those games against Hawthorn and Geelong and they’re the teams you want to measure yourself against because they’re the top two teams in the league,” he said.
“We’ve got Adelaide at home, Brisbane at the GABBA then Richmond in Cairns, and essentially if we’re able to play good enough footy then we can win every one of those games.
“But of course we will be taking it one week at a time.”
Individually, the 244-game superstar has been in superb form – crediting fitness guru Stephen Schwerdt and his high performance team for an outstanding pre-season.
“I was lucky enough to have had a good pre-season because the body is feeling great,” he said.
“Along with my team mates I’ll be making sure to enjoy the week off so that we can rejuvenate our bodies and make sure we’re ready to go for the second half of the season.”
Ablett highlighted his homecoming to Simonds Stadium in the side’s Round 10 clash against he Cats as his most memorable moment for 2013 so far.
“Going back to Geelong and playing down there was a pretty special moment for me,” he said.
“Playing in front of the town’s supporters and against my old team mates was great but also just playing three really good quarters against a quality outfit.”
While the Gold Coast have displayed their ability to absorb pressure and fight their way back in the latter stages through their Never-Say-Die mantra, Ablett said it was important for the GC SUNS to evolve their strength by ensuring they could sustain it throughout a four quarter performance.
“We’re improving as a footy club and I think that’s the most important to recognise,” Ablett said.
“We know that if we can continue to play same brand of football that we have shown in the first-half of the Premiership Season, then we can match it with the best teams in the competition.
“So hopefully we can enjoy some more wins in the second-half of the season.”
