Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett may still be in doubt for the AFL season opener but the Suns are still shining brightly.

Led by Harley Bennell, the undermanned Suns played a scrappy 0.8.15 (63) to 1.7.12 (63) tie against their Queensland rivals with Matthew Leuenberger’s second goal of the final quarter ensuring scores finished level in the pre-season clash.

In hot and humid conditions, which resulted in the AFL implementing their partial heat rule, Bennell was best on ground for the Suns, picking up 31 disposals and a goal.

The Suns’ display will give coach Rodney Eade plenty of heart going into their April 4 season opener against Melbourne considering Ablett was absent as well as leading players Tom Lynch, Charlie Dixon, Jaeger O’Meara and Jack Martin.

Ball-magnet Dion Prestia made his first appearance of the year, picking up 29 disposals while classy defender Rory Thompson showed he’s ready to take on the Demons with some flashes of brilliance at the back in his comeback game.

Leading recruit Nick Malceski also looked right at home in a Suns jersey following his switch from Sydney.

Young gun Touk Miller also appears set to make his AFL debut against Melbourne after emphasising his class with a clever goal in the final term.

Lions coach Justin Leppitsch, who’ll be happy with his team’s final-quarter effort, will have some concerns about how they were overrun by a Suns team missing so many key players in the middle of the game when they scored just three points in the second and third terms.

The visitors also have an injury concern with young gun Darcy Gardiner injuring his right shoulder late in the opening term.

The Suns will also have to assess the fitness of rookie Adam Saad after he copped a knee to the side of his head in the final term and didn’t reappear.