By MIchael Whiting

Negating Adelaide's Scott Thompson has been difficult for most coaches this season, and Guy McKenna had no solutions after the Crow's phenomenal performance against the Suns at Metricon Stadium.

Thompson collected 51 disposals - the most ever in Champion Data era, which started in 1999 - and although McKenna said Gold Coast had plans to shut him down, the Suns simply failed.

When asked who was playing on Thompson, McKenna was at a loss.

"Good question," he said with a wry laugh.

"I haven't watched the tape but we had some plans for a player to play on him that's for sure."

At times the 28-year-old Crows midfielder looked to be running around without an opponent, but McKenna said Adelaide's centre square dominance gave him a big head start.

Thompson racked up 18 touches and five clearances in a blistering first quarter when ruckman Sam Jacobs inspired a 19-2 advantage in the hit outs.

"He was outstanding but after quarter time I think the boys in general rounded him up as best we could, and he still got a lot of the ball but it wasn't as damaging as the first quarter," McKenna said.

"He sets a very high standard and he was too hot to handle for us for sure."

McKenna said overall he was pleased with the effort but the first quarter capitulation, when Gold Coast conceded seven goals in 14 minutes, was not up to scratch.

The Suns surged to within 20 points late in the third quarter but then conceded seven goals to one in the final term, simply running out of legs.

McKenna praised returning forward Nathan Ablett on his first match at senior level in four years, but stopped short of guaranteeing him a game next week.

"I was certainly encouraged by his effort that's for sure," he said.

"Probably the most impressive thing was his tackles in the back 50. That was the most pleasing thing.

"When the inside 50 count is a bit lopsided (59-42 to Adelaide) it's a bit hard for our tall forwards, but I thought his workrate defensively was by far better than I've even seen it at reserves level so that was encouraging.

"I thought his effort and intensity when he didn't have the ball was good. I think the other stuff will come when he feels more comfortable."

"Where we can we'd love to give those boys [Ablett and debutants Joel Tippett and Tom Hickey] an opportunity and see how they go. But we'll have a look at that through the course of the week."