HAWTHORN might as well forget about stopping Gary Ablett on Saturday night, Hawks midfielder Isaac Smith says.
The reigning Brownlow medallist has been at his mercurial best again this season and drove Gold Coast to a 53-point demolition of the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium at the weekend.
Ablett notched up 38 disposals and booted three goals on his way to a second Marcus Ashcroft Medal in the QClash, and he looms as the unbeaten Hawks' biggest stumbling block when they travel to Metricon Stadium.
Asked what Hawthorn can do to restrict the mercurial skipper's influence, Smith replied: "You just don't let him get the footy, I don't know how you do that.
"I think what you've got to do is stop his impact when he gets it, but he's going to get the footy so I think you've just got to cop that a little bit."
Although Ablett is still clearly the No.1 player at Gold Coast – and indeed the competition in most people's eyes – he is now supported by a group of rising Suns who are growing in stature by the week.
Dion Prestia, last year's NAB AFL Rising Star Jaeger O'Meara, Andrew Swallow and Harley Bennell are among the next wave of Gold Coast on-ballers causing headaches for their opponents.
"Their midfield's quality, but they've got good players all over the ground; it's actually really good to see them playing well at the moment," Smith said.
Despite their continuing improvement and unique home ground advantage, the Suns have the toughest task in football ahead of them.
The reigning premiers dismantled Fremantle by 58 points in last Friday night's Grand Final rematch – even without at least five of their best 22.
The Hawks are likely to welcome back skipper Luke Hodge (groin) in round four, while there's a host of other players fighting for a spot.
Ben Stratton, Brad Sewell and Ryan Schoenmakers all made strong returns from injury for Box Hill in the VFL on Saturday, while the silky Derick Wanganeen, Luke Lowden and Mitch Hallahan also pushed their case in the 25-point win over Werribee.
"It's really positive having that depth at the club," Smith said.
"Box Hill's playing well at the moment as well, so there's a really good feeling around the club.
"It's good to see that we've got young players coming through and they're making an impact as well – Will Langford, Taylor Duryea, Derick Wanganeen's played and Jonathan Ceglar on the weekend.
"I don't know if we're a better side (than last year) or not, but we've certainly got different players coming through and adding a bit of a different flavour to us, which is good."
Hawthorn has soared into second spot on the ladder, improving every outing so far.
Ramping up pressure at the contest paid dividends against Freo, Smith said.
"Against Brisbane in Tassie and against Essendon last Friday night we just didn't bring that pressure," Smith said.
"Winning contested footy is a huge part of the game now, so we really got an edge there.
"Freo probably didn't get an opportunity to play too much in the first half really, we controlled a lot of the footy."
