BEN Mathews says curbing Gold Coast superstar Gary Ablett will be “pretty tough”, but one Melbourne must tackle head on, when it plays the Sans on Saturday at Metricon Stadium.

Mathews, who was a member of Gold Coast’s coaching panel and worked with Ablett in the club’s infancy, added that the red and blue also needed to be wary of several other Suns midfielders.

“Playing against him in the early days and then working with him – I have that much respect for him and the way he goes about his footy and works on his game,” he told Melbourne TV.

“The little things [he does] that the public don’t see is awesome. They’re things that I try and impart on some of our players and our young mids who go about their business.

“You mention how hard he works on his craft and his game, and it’s no surprise he’s been one of the champions of the game and an all-time great.”

Mathews said it was critical Melbourne restricted Ablett’s ball-winning ability.

“We need to not let him have access to the ball … he generally uses it really well,” he said.

“We’re mindful of Gaz, but [they’ve also got Jesse] Lonergan and [Dion] Prestia, and they’ve got others that can win the ball as well.

“He’s not the sole focus, but he’s an important part of our planning.”