Umpires were spared a post-match tongue lashing from a fuming Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna over Melbourne’s man-handling of superstar Gary Ablett in the Suns’ 13-point AFL win at Metricon Stadium.

However, it seems AFL umpires boss Jeff Gieschen won’t be so lucky.

After initially biting his tongue, McKenna revealed he had been speaking with Gieschen for up to two months over the opposition’s rough treatment of his Brownlow Medallist.

And Gieschen can expect another phone call on Monday after Ablett was kept to a season-low 19 touches in his 250th game by a relentless Melbourne effort led by Jordie McKenzie.

Asked about the Demons’ in-your-face approach to Ablett, a seething McKenna turned to the Suns media man and said: “How much money have you got?”

He composed himself before adding: “I’m in constant conversation with Jeff Gieschen and have been for probably the last six to eight weeks.

“It’s a work in progress.”

In contrast, Demons coach Neil Craig applauded McKenzie’s “outstanding” effort on six-time All-Australian Ablett.

“As long as they play within the rules. Umpires are there to adjudicate the rules,” Craig said of their treatment of Ablett.

“We all know where Gary stands in the competition, and the history of the competition for that fact.

“Jordie McKenzie is a very determined, disciplined young man. I thought his teammates as well, maybe for the first time since I’ve been at the footy club, have joined in to help there.”

Ablett may have been left a little worse for wear but he must have still been counting his blessings after avoiding the Suns’ growing injury list.

The Gold Coast were left with one man on the bench after Nathan Bock (leg) was substituted at halftime and Alex Sexton (shoulder) and Sam Day (hamstring) went down.

Bock was again troubled by his recovering right leg and will be rested for the remainder of the season in order to be fully fit for 2014.

He was in only his second game since returning from a broken leg suffered in round six last year.

“We’ll book him into the surgeon and get a nasty rod out which will be good. It’s sad that he can’t finish the year off but good in his progression for next year,” McKenna said.

Sexton was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder after being brought down by Melbourne’s Mitch Clisby in a final quarter melee.

The spate of injuries ensured Steven May played out the match despite a hamstring complaint.