DESPITE missing some post-Christmas training, Gary Ablett will line up in week one of the NAB Cup after getting through Gold Coast's intra-club on Thursday,
Ablett played two thirds of the trial and came through unscathed, showing no ill effects of back and calf problems that have limited his training.
The Suns used 36 players in the contest, with Ablett his usual busy self.
Coach Guy McKenna said Ablett would play the second match - against the Brisbane Lions - of the Suns' double header at Metricon Stadium on February 23.
"We're going to pick our fittest side," McKenna said.
"Tom Lynch wouldn't play next week. Those blokes will go out of the round one side kicking and screaming but you've got to look at their conditioning."
Ablett trained strongly in the lead-up until Christmas – including the Suns' two-week altitude training camp in Arizona – but came back from the break with a calf niggle that resulted in some time on the sidelines.
One player that will put on the club's colours for the first time is under-age West Australian Jack Martin, who has been given permission to play in the NAB Cup.
As he has in game simulation training the past few weeks, Martin impressed in the intraclub with his effortless moving and precision kicking.
David Swallow and Harley Bennell also started with a bang, impressing McKenna.
"I thought some of the key areas we've focussed on really came out," he said.
"As our group has developed and got stronger, I thought our tackling today was the best I've ever seen. We don't need to be smashing blokes, but I thought when they needed to be tackled, they stayed tackled."
Gary Ablett is a $642,300 midfielder in NAB AFL Fantasy. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.
Michael Whiting covers Gold Coast news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting