Losing a player as special as Gary Ablett is always a blow, but by Gold Coast forward Tom Lynch's admission, it's not a scenario that unusual for the AFL club.
Ablett is poised to undergo surgery on his reconstructed left shoulder after re-injuring it during last weekend's win over Brisbane.
The Suns' skipper will sit out the rest of the season, as will experienced midfielder Michael Rischitelli, who ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the same game.
It's the latest in a long line of injury concerns for the Suns.
Lynch says the solution is simply for him and fellow vice-captains Steven May and Dion Prestia to take on extra responsibility.
"Dion, `Maysie' and myself as vice-captains have got to step up now without `Gaz' or `Risch' out there," he said.
"We're excited about the challenge. We'll have Matt Rosa coming back over the next few weeks as well so he's gonna help us in that space.
"We're really looking forward to the challenge and really driving the standards."
The Suns' injury concerns have also created opportunity.
Lynch says none have risen to the standard better than tall forward Peter Wright.
The 19-year-old backed up his Rising Star nominated performance against St Kilda with a career-best five-goal display against the Lions.
Wright's rise means in him, Lynch and Sam Day the Suns boast a potent trio of tall forwards.
"He's going along really well as a second year player and he's great, really keen to learn and improve," Lynch said.
"We're really excited about his future."
