Unfazed Ablett says Suns may set on Cats - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Unfazed Ablett says Suns may set on Cats

By Laine Clark 23/05/2011 04:28:27 PM Comments (0)

Sledging, mind games, big hits - Gold Coast Suns captain Gary Ablett knows exactly what to expect from former AFL club Geelong on Saturday night.

But an unfazed Ablett reckons the Cats may be in for a big surprise when the Suns host their first home game at the redeveloped Carrara Stadium.

Ablett may have played 192 games and won two premierships with Geelong - but he does not expect much love from the Cats this weekend.

Especially after former Geelong team-mate Paul Chapman claimed the Cats hoped to "knock him around" on Saturday night.

However, Ablett not only relished the chance to clash with his ex-club - he looked forward to beating them.

"It would be amazing to give them their first loss," Ablett said on Monday.

"I've actually been excited about this game for a few weeks.

"I am sure they will play a few tricks throughout the day but we will be ready for that - but we will play a few of our own."

Chapman recently went into brutal detail about the physical and mental treatment Ablett could expect this weekend - but the Suns captain didn't look concerned on Monday.

Asked who he expected to be the most "chirpy" on Saturday night, Ablett laughed: "I know there's a few boys who will but I am not going to say.

"I don't think they will play a tag. I think they will play a more offensive role on me.

"I've played football with these guys for nine years and it will be just good to get out against some of my ex-team-mates ... and challenging myself.

"I guess them and Collingwood are the benchmark of the competition at the moment so it will be a good test for us."

Ablett said lessons learnt from their nightmare AFL debut would not only help the Suns cope with the emotion of playing their first Carrara home game - it may just spark a boilover.

"There was definitely a build-up to the first game - as a club I think we have handled it a lot better this week," Ablett said.

"We will make sure the boys are thinking about doing things right on the training track and taking that into the game.

"If we can get going and kick a few goals early and the crowd can get behind us ... that will be a big advantage.

"It will be a tough game. We have to be competitive and do our best - hopefully that means giving them their first loss."

Ablett committed the AFL's equivalent of treason in Geelong fans' eyes when he took up a lucrative five-year deal with the Suns.

But it appears there are no hard feelings from some of his ex-team-mates.

"I will probably catch up with a few of them (after the game) - they have all been pretty good," he said.

"They're a great club. It's a fantastic effort obviously - to be 8-0 at this stage wasn't expected by many."

The Suns played their first three home games at the Gabba while the Carrara Stadium was redeveloped.

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