Football season may be back, albeit in a limited capacity, but the Gold Coast SUNS are taking no risks in their preparations ahead of the home and away season.

Six days separate last Sunday’s NAB Challenge opening fixture against Geelong and this weekend’s contest against fellow expansion side Greater Western Sydney.

With this in mind, and individual programs at varying stages, the football department are taking no chances; managing the loads of certain players ahead of the proper campaign.

Two of Metricon Stadium’s elder statesmen, Michael Rischitelli and Jarrod Harbrow won’t travel south to play the Giants after pulling up a little tight following the SUNS opening hit out of the campaign.

“With a six-day break and played in so much heat, as well as doing the community camp afterwards on their legs for two days, Jarrod Harbrow and Michael Rischitelli have pulled up just tight,” Eade told SUNS TV on Thursday.

“So, we just think it’s a risk playing them. There’s nothing wrong with them, so they’ll be right the week after.”

In his first appearance in red and gold since being acquired from Hawthorn during last October’s trade period, Mitch Hallahan demonstrated his value with a team-high 24 disposals and eight clearances against the Cats in Townsville.

But, after pulling up sore, he and emerging midfielder Alex Sexton won’t play in Blacktown despite being named in the 29-man squad. Although, Eade was adamant the pair would be fit to play in following weekend’s NEAFL practice match against Southport.

Eade revealed defensive key posts Steven May and Rory Thompson, along with ball magnet Dion Prestia, should all be available to play in next weekend’s NEAFL game, before the SUNS' final NAB Challenge game on February 20.

Top ten draftee Peter Wright had impressed during the first couple of months of the pre-season before succumbing to a knee ailment that first reared its ugly head late in the TAC Cup season last September.

“Peter Wright at this stage, I know there’s a lot of interest in him, he missed the under/18 Grand Final last year with a sore knee, missed about six weeks of footy. He’s injured the same knee but a different spot, just his patella tendon,” Eade said.

“So, just because he’s a big lad and it’s a jumping type of injury and he did it jumping and landing, we’ve taken a bit of time with him (as a) precautionary.

“He’s been out of training for three or four weeks, he’ll be available to play NAB Three but probably come back through the NEAFL side.”