Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna has defended Gary Ablett against accusations that the skipper's dominance - namely his record-equaling 53 touches against Collingwood - is stifling the development of the young Suns.
Ablett was outstanding as the Suns fell to their 10th straight loss on Sunday - a 97-point humbling at the hands of the Magpies - but his individual brilliance did little to gloss over what was an inept team performance.
McKenna said that it was far from ideal for Ablett to be consuming so much of the ball, but there is no chance that the second-year coach will be asking his superstar to rein in his involvement.
Ahead of their hosting of St Kilda on Saturday, McKenna was honest when asked what he thought of claims that 53 possessions was simply too much.
"I agree in some parts with what is being said," McKenna said.
"We'd love (Ablett) to get 30 possessions because that allows 23 possessions to go to some other footballer.
"That way Harley Bennell gets to use it, Josh Caddy gets to use it, Matt Shaw gets to use it."
But McKenna hit back hard at claims that his Suns were simply running of the 'Give it to Gaz' game plan.
The coach insisted his captain's dominance of possession is simply a result of his fitness, effort and will to win.
"We've never had a rule of 'Give it to Gaz'," McKenna said.
"That is the first time I have ever said it publically or internally.
"But when you've got a player of his standing that works as hard as he does, if he's in the right position, you give it.
"That's certainly one rule of this football club I don't care who it is.
"Watching the game (against Collingwood), did I see us go out of our way to give it to Gary? No.
"His touches came because of his work-rate and his ability to compete and wanting to help the side.
"Working and competing is what he does best and I am never going to stop a player from doing that."
Ablett splits his time between playing on-ball and playing down back, and McKenna knows he is walking a fine line in regards to the development of the team as a whole.
"I am sure (Ablett) wrestles with the fact that our record is 0-10 this year, and was three and whatever last year, so he feels he needs to be around the football more to give us a better chance of winning the game," he said.
"Naturally it might stifle one players development because when Gary is in the middle that's one other player that won't be there.
"But it's only one person and I don't think it's massive in the scheme of things."
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