Gary Ablett's return to fitness for Saturday's clash against North Melbourne has sounded alarm bells for Kangaroos coach Brad Scott.
The Gold Coast midfield star has shaken off a calf niggle that ruled him out of last weekend's loss to St Kilda and will play his 300th AFL match against Scott's Kangaroos.
It means Saturday's game at Metricon Stadium is a double milestone event for the Suns, with co-captain Steven May making his 100th appearance.
It all adds up to concern for Scott, with the Roos heading north without suspended midfielder Ben Cunnington and on the back of a heartbreaking one-point loss to Western Bulldogs last weekend.
That loss left the Kangaroos 17th on the ladder with four wins for the year.
One of those victories was a 13-point win over the Suns in round six but Ablett was at his dominant best in the defeat, with 45 disposals, a goal and nine tackles.
Scott, who has recalled 20-year-old defender Mitch Hibberd for the trip to Queensland, is in no doubt Ablett will be out to shine once more in his milestone match.
"He's a Hall of Famer; they haven't announced it yet but we know he's a Hall of Fame player," Scott said.
"Even at his age and the stage of his career he's at now he's still an extremely dominant player."
Suns coach Rodney Eade is still sweating on the fitness of Pearce Hanley (hamstring), giving the Irishman until matchday morning to prove he's ready to go.
But after losing to St Kilda in Melbourne last weekend to leave them two wins out of the eight and in 14th position, Eade admits Ablett's return is a huge boost to the club as they try to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
"Our players rose to the challenge a bit last week with the contested possessions about even having Gary out," Eade said.
"Gary is going to add to that, there is no doubt.
"More than that is ability to hit a target. He is very good when he has got the ball in hand.
"His ability to pick the right option will help us."
GOLD COAST v NORTH MELBOURNE - Key match stats
* North Melbourne have won five of the nine encounters against the Suna, including three from five at Metricon Stadium.
* Ben Brown booted six goals in the Kangaroos' 13-point win over the Suns in round six, and is the Roos' top goalscorer this year with 31.
* Steven May will become the seventh player to make 100 AFL appearances for the Suns.
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