Group ‘must lift’ to cover Ablett’s loss
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 will break new ground in 2018 as they prepare to push forward in life after the man who has won four of Gold Coast’s seven club champion awards and filled most of the club’s highlight reels throughout his time in Queensland.
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 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 player alone could replace Ablett and called on his fellow midfielders to improve together to ensure their 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 in five seasons at the Suns, battling his own injuries while struggling to break in to the club’s best 22 at various periods.
The 23-year-old played 33 games between the 2015 and 2016 seasons while many of the team’s midfielders, including Gary 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.