Gold Coast was urged to attack Cats, says Gary Ablett

GARY Ablett has revealed the Suns were urged to ''take risks'' against Geelong on Sunday in what was their best effort of the year.

Gary Ablett

SUNS captain Gary Ablett has revealed coach Guy McKenna's decision to tell their young squad to ''attack the game'' and ''take risks'' was the catalyst behind their miraculous turnaround against Geelong at the weekend.

The AFL superstar said the coaching staff would take the same no fear mentality into Saturday's winnable clash with Richmond in Cairns.

A candid Ablett said the squad had become too occupied with defence.

''I think we lost our way in attack a little,'' he said.

''I think the message going into the game was a good message from Bluey, he just wanted the boys to attack the game, take the game on, take risks and I think the boys did that on the weekend and while we turned it over at times and gave them easy goals, as the boys get more experienced, it's not going to happen as much,'' he said.

Despite the 14-point loss the performance against Geelong was the Suns' best of the year.

They will fly to Cairns, the venue of their last win exactly one year ago, confident they can win the match.

Ablett said there would be no need to change mentality this week.

''I think Bluey has to come in with the same message as last week for the boys to take the game on,'' he said.

''We have a young side but at the same time we have got a very quick side and if we can get the ball on the outside, win the ball first, win the contested ball, tackle well and you know get the ball moving quickly well there is no doubt that's going to go a long way to helping us win.''

There has been criticism of the Suns' fitness levels, but Ablett privately believes his squad would be on par if not better than most teams at individual training drills.

Mentally though, they have struggled to remain focussed for four quarters, something Ablett believes cost them dearly on the weekend.

''I thought we played well for most of the match, I just think there was a patch there in the third quarter where we let them get a bit of a run on and score a few goals and we will make sure we fix that up this week,'' he said.

''I think it's a great opportunity up against the Tigers in Cairns.''

The Suns will have to be at their peak this weekend with a number of injury concerns.

David Swallow will have to prove his fitness at training today ntsG(SUBS: WEDNESDAY)nte to be able to play Saturday.

Whether the 18-year-old comes back in the AFL against Richmond in Cairns or in the NEAFL against Aspley in Brisbane remains to be seen.

Swallow has been on the same comeback trail as that of Jarrod Harbrow, who resumed against Geelong on Sunday.

Word from inside the club is that, had the club been in the finals race, Swallow would have returned to action a fortnight ago, but because of his age they decided not to risk him.

''We are extremely hopeful that David will be available for senior selection this week,'' football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

Meanwhile, Joel Wilkinson, who badly rolled an ankle on Sunday, is expected to be out for a month.

Defenders currently out of action are Wilkinson, Nathan Bock, Rory Thompson, Michael Coad, Seb Tape, Steve May and Alex Sexton.