Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna looks at Gary Ablett’s absence through injury as a positive for his team.

Ablett is expected to miss at least a fortnight of football and he’s not the only one absent. Michael Rischitelli and Jarrod Harbrow are also notable exclusions but McKenna is remaining upbeat.

"Because Gary is such a great player and we're such a young side it is only natural the boys can become a bit too conscious of him out there,” McKenna said on Friday.

“To have that experience without Gaz (Ablett), our skipper and our number one player it’s just a good opportunity to see those who kids who want to step up and really forge a career for themselves and make a name for themselves in tough time times.

Ablett suffered bone bruising in his knee and was assisted from the field during the Suns’ 65-point loss to Brisbane on Saturday night.

“It gives the rest of the boys the chance to roll up their sleeves and go and get the footy for themselves.

"This is their chance; no one else is going to do it for them.”

McKenna is confident David Swallow will be right to take his place in the midfield tomorrow, despite doubts over his fitness. Swallow got through a skills session on Friday, but not convincingly.

“Junior (Swallow) trained. I wouldn’t say excitedly, but he’s pretty keen to play,” McKenna added.

“We’ll assess him, and I’d say he can play, but if not, Aaron Hall we’re taking down as our emergency.”

Charlie Dixon is one player the Gold Coast is hoping will step up to the plate, as he gets ready for his first senior hit-out of the season.

“He’s (Dixon) had some good form in the seconds level. But again, in the ideal world of (playing) another side, apart from GWS, he’d sit down there (in the reserves) for two or three weeks.

With Todd Goldstein out of the North Melbourne side and Hamish McIntosh left to play a lone hand in the ruck, the Suns will be looking to gain any advantage they can in the middle with Dixon sure to play an important role alongside Zac Smith.

“This opposition says we dearly need someone that can compete in the ruck, when the ball hits the ground, really get after the ball and then obviously try and take a catch forward.”

Dixon’s inclusion came at the cost of another experienced name, Josh Fraser and with Rischitelli’s late omission, the Suns boast just four players with more than 50 games experience.

“I’m pretty confident these young fellas are going to have to grow up fairly quickly.”

The Kangaroos will also go in with a young side in football terms, naming just nine players who’ve reached the half-century barrier.