The absence of Gary Ablett from this Saturday's match means Gold Coast will be relying on different players to help replace his influence and output.

While it's unrealistic to expect one man to replicate Ablett's feats, given the brilliant form he was in, an even spread amongst the rest of the midfield group will give the Suns their best chance of causing an upset over North Melbourne.

kangaroos.com.au looks at the players Guy McKenna will expect to increase their output at Etihad Stadium.

Karmichael Hunt

Hunt's last fortnight of football has been the best of his career so far. Against Essendon he sparked a second quarter revival with his attack on the ball in slippery conditions lifting his team-mates to another level.

Hunt's handballing in congestion will be crucial to Gold Coast as without it, the Suns will most likely be on the wrong end of the clearance count.

Dion Prestia

The diminutive midfielder is another who will have to step up his work inside. Standing at just 175 centimetres, Prestia must display the form he exhibited in the second half of his debut season. Back then, he was a shining light as his young teammates struggled with the duration of the home and away season. Prestia went from strength to strength playing in 14 of the last 15 games.

However, he must also chip in at contests; his average of two clearances per match is something he’ll be looking to double at the very least.

Josh Caddy

Caddy was on the verge of returning to Melbourne in last year's trade period before ultimately staying with the Suns. This is essentially his first season due to a severe foot injury that restricted him to just two games in 2011.

He arrived with big wraps on his ability in the clinches and with an average of almost four tackles a game, behind only Michael Rischitelli, Ablett, David Swallow and Prestia, he’s shown that he is comfortable where most players fear to tread.

Given three of the four players listed above may not be taking the field on Saturday, Caddy's tackling numbers will have to shoot even higher to cover their absence.

Jared Brennan

When the ball comes out of the packs, Brennan that will need to add some polish to the disposal going forward.

Gold Coast's third leading possession winner at almost 22 per game has uncharacteristically been on the losing end of key matchups this season while playing down back. Coach Guy McKenna may use this week as an opportunity to get Brennan more time on-ball in an effort to release the shackles.

Nathan Bock

Moved forward after a stellar first season for Gold Coast in defence, Bock will be the Suns' focal point on Saturday, yet he too will also have to change his game in the absence of Ablett.

Ablett's presence when he drifted forward allowed the rest of the key position forwards more room to operate. Without the Gold Coast captain at Etihad Stadium, Bock will have to deal with an increased amount of attention from North's key defenders.

Bock started his career as a forward at Adelaide, so it’s nothing new. However, North must take advantage of the fact he will be expected to provide much more than he has so far.

Harley Bennell

Bennell will also have to alter his game style this weekend. Without Ablett, Gold Coast may switch to a more 'traditional' forward setup, with Bock as a full forward and a crumbing forward at his feet.

After Bennell's promising start to the year, he may be that player. This means sacrificing his possessions, as typically small forwards do not pick up a lot of the ball. So far this season he is averaging almost 18 touches a game and is coming off three goals against Brisbane.

However, to suggest just these six players need to step up is a slight on the rest of the Gold Coast team. Anyone in the selected 22 is more than capable of having a career game.