Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon believes Gary Ablett has the ability to kick over 50 goals for the Suns this season, should they move him into the forward line.
Ablett is set to line up for Gold Coast for the first time this season in their JLT Community Series match against the Western Bulldogs this weekend, and Lyon would like to see the two-time Brownlow Medallist feature in the forward line for the majority of the home and away season.
“What you are seeing is this push from clubs, and even outside of clubs, for these really good, strong midfield-types to go forward and kick goals,” he said.
“Ablett should go forward now, and play 75 percent of his footy this year as a forward inside 50 and he’ll kick 50-plus goals.
“I think that’s going to be more beneficial for the Gold Coast Suns than have him accumulating 35 and 40 possessions in the middle.
“A 13 or 14 possession, three of four goal game from Ablett alongside (Tom) Lynch and a few of their other forwards, is going to be more beneficial.
“Gary’s an accumulator, sometimes he gets the ball in the wrong spots – he attracts the footy in the wrong spots and players give him the footy because of who he is.
“Gary says that he’s team-first, so therefore probably in his mind he’s thinking 60 (percent midfield), 40 (percent forward).
“There will be more ball (going forward than last year) – more inside 50, (so) with opportunity he’ll kick 60-plus (goals).”
Lyon believes Ablett can still be an elite midfielder this season should he stay healthy, but admits that given his injury history it doesn't look likely.
“If his body stands up (he can still be elite) – (but) history is telling us over the past two years that its not. When get to 32, you’re not getting fitter, you’re not getting more durable, are you?,” he said.