ADELAIDE'S Richard Douglas says stopping Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett on Saturday is the key to starting season 2012 on a high.
Despite Adelaide winning both games against the competition's 17th team last year by 57 and 63 points, Ablett was mercurial. With another preseason into his younger teammates, the Brownlow medallist's influence could prove deadly.
"He's just so powerful and dominant around stoppages and he can kick goals," Douglas said.
"Last year he played us here in Adelaide and by half-time he had three goals and about 20 possessions.
"We definitely need to stop him doing that this week and if we can do that, it's going to go a long way to [us] winning."
Douglas said the Crows had a midfield capable of limiting Ablett's performance, claiming his teammates were stronger and fitter than ever under new coach Brenton Sanderson.
"We probably haven't done as much running in preseason [compared to last season] but I think our fitness levels are probably as good as they have been in the past, we've trained a sort of different way," he said.
"Stronger, as I said, fitter, I think we're in really good shape and [we've] got a lot of depth."
Gold Coast are expected to greatly improve in 2012 and with the experience of a full AFL premiership season behind them, Douglas said the Suns were a dangerous side.
"If you look at their numbers last year, their stoppage work was as good as anyone's," he said.
"We're under no illusion going up there is going to be an easy game. It's going to be on and we're looking forward to the challenge."
Saturday's match will be Sanderson's official debut as a senior coach and Douglas said that while he had coached the Crows to a NAB Cup win already, he still had some tricks up his sleeve.
"I think he's got a little bit saved up, he's been a bit on edge all week," Douglas said.
"It's going to be good for him, he's really excited, as we are, and hopefully we can get a win for him first up."
Harry Thring covers Adelaide news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: AFL_Harry.
Richard Douglas is a $378,300 midfielder in Toyota AFL Dream Team. Register your team here.
