GARY Ablett is desperate to play finals next season and believes Gold Coast is still on track to win a premiership by 2015.

The Gold Coast captain is three years into his five-year contract at the Suns and said despite some great improvement this year, he was hungry for more.

The Suns finished 2013 with an 83-point demolition of GWS to notch its eighth win – two more than the combined total of their first two seasons.

And Ablett is in the same camp as chairman John Witheriff, who said last November the club would win a flag by 2015.

"We've got a plan over the next couple of years and I really want to play finals footy next year," Ablett said.

"We've got our plan to win a premiership by the fifth year and we're going to keep working towards that.

"There's still going to be some inconsistency, no doubt about that, you get that with a young side. We've been a lot more competitive this year for four quarters and that helps you win games.

"I love playing finals footy, so hopefully it's not too far away."

Ablett said the Suns were closer than many people thought to seeing finals action this year.

Gold Coast lost four games by less than three goals – to the Brisbane Lions by two points, Richmond by nine and West Coast and Port Adelaide by 17.

Carlton crept into eighth position with 11 wins.

Ablett bounced back to his absolute best against the Giants, gathering 33 disposals and kicking four goals after a quiet month.

Coach Guy McKenna said earlier in the week his captain had been forced to spend more time on the field with his team's mounting injury list, and Ablett admitted the load had taken its toll.

Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting