Gary Ablett spent time out studying how to fix ‘weak’ aspects of his game

GARY Ablett says there is ‘no doubt’ he will play in Round 1 and he can return an even better player after two injury riddled seasons.

AFL Captains Day at Etihad Stadium , Old mate's catch up Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood. 17th March 2016 Picture: Colleen Petch.

GARY Ablett says he can return an even better player after two injury riddled seasons.

The dual Brownlow medallist, widely regarded as the best player of the modern era, said an 18-month period interrupted by a shoulder and then a knee injury that restricted him to just six games last season had enabled him to work on the “weak” aspects of his game.

Ablett said he would play in Round 1 despite not featuring in the NAB Challenge because of an untimely foot injury.

“You can still work on your game, although you’re not out there and you’re unable to be on the training track,” Ablett said.

“I was watching a lot of tape over the summer, on different guys, trying to improve my game.

“Hopefully that shows this year. There’s a couple of areas that I probably would have called the weak areas of my game that I’ve been able to improve and will make me a more complete player.”

Ablett said he would like to start in the midfield in Round 1 but expected to spend more time forward this season, which is the area of his game he has worked on.

“Probably more your one-on-one stuff in the forward line ... Just learning to use my body a bit better,” he said.

“A little bit around leading patterns as well and I’ve been doing a fair bit of work with the forwards this year.

“Although I’ve been in the system 15 years, I’ve definitely learnt a lot over this summer.”

Ablett missed the NAB Challenge and a training block because of an issue with his foot under his big toe.

“(I’m) obviously disappointed to not be able to play a NAB Cup game, but (the) body’s feeling good,” Ablett said.

“I’ve been able to get some solid running sessions in over the last couple of weeks just to get that conditioning back. (I’m) looking forward to being out there Round 1.

“I trained just about every session up until two weeks out from NAB Cup and then had the issue with my foot, which was a little frustrating but it’s all good now.

“The foot will be fine, there’s no doubt about that.

“Obviously I’ve missed a couple of weeks of training and a couple of games, but I’ve been training hard the last couple of weeks to get that fitness back. I can’t really answer that question. I may feel a bit under done, but I don’t think it’ll affect my game too much.”

Ablett said Gold Coast was ready to prosper this season.

“We believe we’re ready to play finals footy, and that’s the challenge for us,” he said.

Originally published as Gary Ablett spent time out studying how to fix ‘weak’ aspects of his game