So you reckoned Gary Ablett would struggle in a poor side?

Ablett smashed that widely held view on Saturday with a peerless performance for his Gold Coast Suns against Adelaide.

The midfield maestro possibly became the first player to collect three Brownlow Medal votes in a 10-goal loss.

The 2009 medal winner kicked four of his new club's initial five goals in their defeat to the Crows at AAMI Stadium.

Ablett gathered 41 disposals - 18 kicks, 23 handballs. He also laid eight tackles and took the Suns inside their attacking 50m zone eight times.

And all while swimming against a tide which washed up a 57-point drubbing for his side.

"He has done everything right," Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said of the ex-Geelong champion.

"I think a lot of people judge Gaz on the stats and what he does out on the ground.

"But there is a lot of work he has been able to do behind the scenes with our young midfield, with our young group in general and, unfortunately, we don't measure that."

Ablett's unrewarded heroics also drew praise from Crows coach Neil Craig.

"I have always been a big fan of Gary's. I have always loved the way he plays," Craig said.

"He is a great competitor. I remember in the final last year, Geelong against Collingwood, when Geelong were getting belted, he was the guy that stood up.

"I have been a great admirer of his for a long period of time."

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