Collingwood veteran Shane O'Bree will get a first-hand look at the players he is expected to mentor as an assistant coach of the Suns in 2011 when the Magpies meet Gold Coast in Saturday's VFL clash.

O'Bree has yet to sign a coaching contract with the Suns although it's expected once the Magpies are out of the finals race and he make his retirement intentions known.

The midfielder, with 246 AFL matches behind him, is one of several players in the Magpies' VFL side boasting plenty of experience.

Among those with a long AFL history to provide a yard stick for the young Suns at Victoria Park are ruckman Josh Fraser (199 games), Tarkyn Lockyer (227) and nimble forward Leon Davis (201).

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna previously indicated O'Bree was on their radar as an assistant and also ruled out Ben Cousins as a candidate.

"We didn't think about Ben but we are certainly down the path of engaging coaches and we know where we are heading and are confident of the processes we have in place and who we are talking to," he said.

McKenna stopped short of naming his best side, leaving out several players including promising midfielder Taylor Hine.

Multimillion dollar recruit Karmichael Hunt is already on his end-of-season break after showing signs of a physical meltdown last week.

"Taylor Hine is missing out ... he's shown a lot during the year but he has a heavy school load," McKenna said.

Key forward Nathan Ablett is on his last chance after being named in the side at full forward.

Ablett has missed the past two matches with a virus and its imperative for his AFL future that he performs well against the Magpies otherwise his career may be over.

"There a number of other boys where we need to have those question marks cleared up," McKenna said.

"We know what Vic Park is like and its probably going to be a dirty old Melbourne day so it's an opportunity to see these kids against an opponent that plays hard and good footy.

"Nathan is another one and its good opportunity for him to stake his claim as well.

"He's trained well and he said he's over (the virus) so he should take his place."

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