Border football fans are set for a real treat, with 2009 Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett a strong chance to play for Gold Coast in the NAB Cup match against AFL newcomer Greater Western Sydney at Lavington Oval on March 10.

Gold Coast assistant coach Dean Solomon said the Suns captain and two-time Geelong premiership player was over the groin troubles that dogged him last year and had enjoyed a near flawless preseason.

“There’s no reason if he’s fit he won’t be there,” Solomon said.

“It would be great for fans from Albury and the surrounding areas to see Gary play.

“If they are fit we’ll play them. He’s like everyone else and he’s had a great preseason.

“His preseason this year to last year ... you can’t compare them.

“He’s really fit and ready to go.

“We would probably get a balance between experience and young players.”

If he plays, it would be the second AFL game Ablett has played at the Lavington venue, albeit in different colours.

Ablett, 27, whose father Gary Snr played for Myrtleford in 1983, was part of the Geelong side that defeated Essendon by five points in a practice match at Lavington in 2003, when Wangaratta-raised Steve Johnson booted the winning goal for the Cats in front of more than 12,000.

Former Essendon and Fremantle defender Solomon, who played on Johnson that night, said a win against his former coach Kevin Sheedy and the Giants would hold extra significance.

“We are looking forward to seeing GWS play,” he said.

“They’ve got another preseason under their belts. They are just 12 months behind us.

“Obviously playing under Kevin Sheedy for a long time, he will have them up and running.

“They’ll pop up and challenge sides that the (AFL) community doesn’t really expect them to.

“We are looking forward to getting down to country NSW.”

GWS played a practice match against North Melbourne at Lavington Oval last year, with the Roos winning by 73 points in front of 6122 fans.