Replacing Ablett to be team effort

AFL JESSE Lonergan says Gold Coast’s midfield group will need to lift as a collective to cater for the loss of former captain Gary Ablett.

The Suns, who play North Melbourne at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns this March, will break new ground in 2018 as they prepare to push forward without the man who has won four of their seven club champion awards and filled most of the highlight reels throughout his time in Queensland.

Melbourne University’s Propulsion Swimming Club squad, made up of Commonwealth Games aspirants and younger swimmers destined for higher honours, have used the Marlin Coast Bicentennial Pool for the past few days.

Ablett, who averaged 31 disposals in 110 games for Gold Coast, has returned home to Geelong to play for the Cats after being traded by the Suns in October. The 33-year-old

Head coach Sebastian Bettiol believes squad members Thomas Pearson, Adam Selwood and Luka Zubcic will put their hands up for selection on the Gold Coast later this year.

Lushavel Strickland has qualified to swim for Samoa. has battled injury over the past three seasons but his class with ball in hand on each of the 34 games he played in that time lifted a struggling Suns team.

Lonergan said no one playA

With selection trials for the Games just around the corner, the Victorians see Cairns as the perfect preparation.

“We have been coming up for around three years now,” Bettiol said. “If there are any events or competitions coming er alone could replace Ablett and called on his fellow midfielders to improve together to ensure standards don’t drop.

“It will be a collective effort, everyone working as a unit together,” Lonergan said.

Ablett’s influence may not be replaced by a single player but his absence means there is another spot up for grabs in Gold Coast’s midfield and Lonergan has his sights on it.

Lonergan has played 55 games over five seasons at the Suns, battling his own injuries while struggling to break in to the best 22 at various periods. up, we like to use Cairns as a training camp leading in.

“It is super convenient for us and everyone up in Cairns is welcoming and helpful. “The kids get a lot out of it.” The squad return to Melbourne on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old played 33 games between the 2015 and 2016 seasons while many of the team’s midfielders, including Ablett, David Swallow and Dion Prestia, were injured.

“We lost a great player in Gary Ablett, who has gone home, but there are plenty of blokes who will be able to put their hand up to take that spot,” Lonergan said.

“I’m hoping to be one of those blokes to come in and get a starting midfield role.

“There are a few young blokes as well who will be pushing for that spot.”