Ablett not the only special Sun: Freo
Fremantle's midfield has been warned that dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett is no longer Gold Coast's only big weapon.
The Suns skipper will be the obvious opponent for tagger Ryan Crowley in Saturday's clash at Patersons Stadium.
But Dockers football operations manager Chris Bond said the club was wary of the host of players blossoming around one of the game's greatest ever players.
"We know how much of a superstar Gary is, but we also know they've got three or four others (to worry about)," Bond told 6PR last night.
"To be honest not too many are going to get to the standard that Gary is, but they might get close in (Dion) Prestia and (Jaeger) O'Meara and (David) Swallow.
"(Michael) Rischitelli's now back and playing well. They've got a strong midfield … it's going to be a great contest."
Bond conceded Fremantle needed "more depth" in the key-position department following a spate of injuries to the big forwards on their list.
Promising tall Tanner Smith is expected to miss at least three weeks after injuring a hamstring playing for Peel Thunder on Saturday.
And fellow youngster Max Duffy could be sidelined for six weeks after dislocating his left collarbone in the same match.
The one upside appears to be midfielder Colin Sylvia.
The 28-year-old left Bendigo Bank Stadium with quad soreness, but Bond said they were hopeful of getting the former Demon through to play in Peel's next game in a fortnight.
Scott Gumbleton (hamstring), Alex Pearce (shin) and Matt Taberner (hip) are other Dockers standing at least 197cm who are all injured.
Ruckman Jon Griffin and utility player Kepler Bradley - two other talls capable of kicking goals - remain at least a fortnight away from playing following 2013 knee reconstructions and are expected to need time building fitness in the WAFL.
The absence of so much tall timber will place further pressure on Matthew Pavlich, Zac Clarke and Jack Hannath.
Clarke is likely to be the only change to the Dockers side after playing for Peel last Saturday.
Meanwhile, Gold Coast's boom WA recruit Jack Martin will have surgery today to fix a damaged AC joint after advice from shoulder specialists.
"We know how much of a superstar Gary is, but we also know they've got three or four others ...""Fremantle football operations manager *Chris Bond *
