CARLTON gave Gary Ablett fair warning he was in for a rough night at the weekend, and the champion midfielder expects more of the same in his 300th against St Kilda on Sunday.
In the opening minutes at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night, best-on-field Blue Bryce Gibbs ran past Ablett and warned him he was in for a long night.
He wasn't wrong.
Not only did tagger Ed Curnow get stuck into Ablett at every opportunity, but Carlton made a concerted team effort to bump and bruise the Suns star every chance they had.
Match preview: St Kilda v Gold Coast
One Blue ran past Ablett without hitting him and was chastised by his teammates – so much so that he went back and got a shot in to stick to the team's plans.
"It was good fun," Ablett said on Tuesday.
"There's no doubt I pulled up sore this week, but I kind of knew early in the game their focus was to limit my impact.
"I tried to stay calm out there. I know there were times when it did frustrate me a bit.
"I wouldn't be surprised if it happens again this week, and I'm looking forward to that."
