Although Gold Coast SUNS captain Gary Ablett may not play against Adelaide in the final NAB Challenge match at Metricon Stadium on Friday March 11, coach Rodney Eade has declared him a certainty for round one.

The dual Brownlow medallist has missed the first two matches of the pre-season competition with a minor foot injury and the club will take a cautious approach into NAB3 with the season opener against Essendon on March 26 the priority.

“Gaz is a chance to play (NAB3),” Eade told reporters on Thursday night following Gold Coast’s three-point loss to the West Coast Eagles.

READ: SUNS headed for gripping NAB3 match

“But we won’t take any risks with it. Gaz is a special player that probably doesn’t need games to play and he’ll certainly be right round one.

“He’s back running now so we’ll see how he is. He might need another week of footy training after that so that’s not going to be a big problem.”