GARY Ablett is still the right man to captain Gold Coast and is not baulking at his leadership responsibilities, says Suns coach Rodney Eade.

Earlier this week, stand-in skipper Michael Rischitelli was the voice of the Suns’ leadership group – not Ablett - as Harley Bennell, Brandon Matera and Trent McKenzie were all dropped for drinking alcohol against team protocol. 

Rischitelli was part of a media briefing to Queensland journalists ahead of the announcement, and was also quoted on Gold Coast's media release to make the decision public.

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Prior to the season beginning, Rischitelli also stood in for Ablett at the annual Captain's Day in Melbourne.

Eade said on that occasion it was more important that Ablett concentrated on rehabilitation as the captain prepared for round one.

And on Rischitelli being the voice of Tuesday's bad news, the Suns coach had a simple explanation.

"Gary's doing rehab again, but it was more about the players that played (on Saturday night) and Michael was captain that day, and that's why we thought we'd do it that way," Eade said.

Ablett was part of Monday's leadership meeting that sanctioned the players.

"He totally agrees with the way it's going forward," Eade said. 

"Michael, to his credit, has wanted to stand up and he's wanted to be the face (of this news). I don't see Gary baulking away from it."