Ablett, Fyfe face AFL fitness tests

Gold Coast star Gary Ablett must pass a fitness test before he can line up for his 300th AFL game.

Gary Ablett

Gary Ablett must pass a fitness test before playing his 300th game. (AAP)

Gold Coast maestro Gary Ablett and Fremantle's Nat Fyfe are both a chance to return from injury as the AFL ladder begins to take shape.

The Suns had been poised to celebrate Ablett's 300th game against St Kilda on Sunday before a calf injury forced his late withdrawal.

Ablett was sorely missed, with the lacklustre Suns going down to the Saints by five goals.

The 33-year-old must get through training but is otherwise a solid chance to face North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

"As long as Gary continues to progress in the same manner over the coming days, we believe he will play," Suns football boss Marcus Ashcroft said.

"He still needs to get through a final fitness test at our training session on Thursday, but we're really positive it will be good news."

The 14th-placed Suns remain a slim chance of making the finals with two wins separating them from eighth-placed St Kilda.

Fremantle could welcome back skipper Fyfe and ruckman Aaron Sandilands for Sunday's home game against the Saints.

Fyfe missed the Dockers' agonising two-point loss to Geelong with a bruised sternum, while Sandilands has been sidelined for the past month with a hamstring injury.

Both face fitness tests, while goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne is expected to be available despite pulling up sore from his return game.

Collingwood could be boosted by the return of Jamie Elliott (ankle) for Sunday's clash with Hawthorn if the star forward trains strongly.

West Coast have added skipper Shannon Hurn (concussion) to their injury list alongside fellow veterans Josh Kennedy (calf) and Mark LeCras (hip).

Hurn will be out for a week after failing to overcome the effects of a heavy bump from Jack Viney and also tweaking his hamstring during Saturday night's loss to Melbourne.

Adelaide's Charlie Cameron (wrist) and Wayne Milera (knee) are both expected to line up against Carlton at the MCG.


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Source: AAP



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