In previous QClash match-ups, the Lions have used tagger Andrew Raines to exclusively try and blunt the dual Brownlow medallist's influence.
His success has been mixed, with Ablett averaging 29 disposals in his five matches and winning the Ashcroft Medal once for best afield.
However, Raines seems out of favour with Leppitsch and the rookie coach is more likely to use a team defence on the Suns skipper.
It's the development of Ablett's support cast that is now worrying Leppitsch.
"The thing about Gary is he's not the only good midfielder they've got. They've actually got some pretty decent kids that run around in there," Leppitsch said prior to training at the Gabba on Thursday morning.
"He doesn’t even lead their score involvements. He is a great player but there are some other players we have to watch out for.
"You can fall into a bit of a trap just looking at Gary."
Those "other players" include 2013 Rising Star winner Jaeger O'Meara, best and fairest runner-up Dion Prestia and combative former No.1 pick David Swallow.
Leppitsch has a tough decision, though, after Collingwood allowed Ablett to run around unattended last season and watched as he collected 49 disposals and two goals and carried the Suns to victory.
In round one against Hawthorn, Leppitsch assigned vice-captain Tom Rockliff the task of minding Hawks gun Sam Mitchell in a defensive forward's role.
Rockliff was suspended for a week for rough conduct following an off-the-ball hit and missed the round two match against Geelong, where Brent Moloney and Jack Redden shared time minding Cats captain Joel Selwood.
Leppitsch said he would not be asking his vice-captain to tone down his aggression when returning against the Suns.
"The one thing you like about Tom Rockliff is he's a committed clubman and wants to win and he wants to get in the face of the opposition," he said.
"The problem is he overstepped the mark slightly. We saw from the weekend there's two other players (Nat Fyfe and Taylor Hunt) that got suspended for a similar thing, so it's as much the competition saying 'those niggles aren't on any more', more than Tom really belting someone or doing anything really callous.
"Good teams are aggressive and they take the game to the opposition."
Leppitsch said he did not feel any extra pressure entering his first QClash without a win, despite the Lions taking a five-game winning streak against their Queensland rivals into the match.
"What the winning does is gives you confidence in the game plan," he said.
"Our job is to show the players that it's still working but these are our lapses. Hopefully that's enough to convince them what we're doing is on the right path.
"The 'W' next to the result actually saves you speaking for too long and they get it … and the belief builds."
Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting
The job of minding Gary Ablett has often fallen on Andrew Raines in the past. Picture: AFL Media
