In a refreshing change for an AFL superstar, Gary Ablett reckons he doesn't get recognised much when he walks down the street on the Gold Coast.

But surely those days are now numbered for the Brownlow Medallist.

Especially after he kick-started the final countdown to the Gold Coast Suns' 2011 debut by attending his first training session on Monday.

Sure, the quiet surrounds of their training track at Southport's Griffith University campus were a far cry from the glitz of the AFL Draft showcase held on the Gold Coast just days ago.

But Ablett still likes what he sees - or doesn't see - on the tourist strip so far.

"There is not so much AFL up here. You can walk around the streets more and not get noticed which is good," Ablett said.

"I am really enjoying it up here. It has been fantastic so far."

Indeed, Ablett appears to be revelling in his relatively low profile in Queensland - no matter how shortlived it may be.

Nothing could dampen Ablett's enthusiasm on Monday - not the humid conditions for their 2km time trial nor the sight of No.1 draft pick David Swallow going down at training.

While Ablett emerged unscathed from his first session, Swallow wasn't so lucky after "tweaking" his ankle.

Club officials played down the injury to the highly regarded East Fremantle midfielder.

"He will get it right and be back out there soon," Ablett said.

He backed his young side to finish "better than mid-table" in 2011.

"We are going to go out there (next year) to win," he said.

"Whether we are the youngest club in the comp or not we have a lot of talent and we are going to go out there and do our best, try to win every game, and whatever happens, happens.

"I am just excited about getting into the pre-season.

"And I get to train with my brother again which is exciting."

Nathan Ablett joined the club for the pre-season in a bid to resurrect his AFL career.

It is believed the Suns will keep a rookie place open for him until the end of the pre-season's NAB Cup to provide more time to monitor his progress.

He is bouncing back from a hamstring complaint.

But fellow Cats premiership player Gary Ablett reckoned he was feeling no pain after mixing with the Suns' young brigade on Monday.

"Just chatting to the new boys and the draftees, they are just real excited about getting into it, training and hopefully playing AFL football," Ablett said.

"It helps give you that excitement to get into it."

The only subjects Ablett was coy on were his former coach Mark Thompson and the Suns' captaincy.

He offered a "no comment" on Thompson's defection to Essendon, and didn't seem keen on adding to speculation he would lead the Gold Coast out against Carlton at the Gabba on April 2.

"I think I have answered the question a million times," he said of the captaincy.

"We will have our pre-season, and whoever proves themselves will get the job.

"I haven't been thinking about it to be honest."

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