DAVID Swallow will captain Gold Coast on Saturday for the first time after passing a fitness test at Metricon Stadium on Friday.
 
Swallow has been battling a calf injury and recurrence of a Baker's cyst behind his left knee for most of the week, but put any doubts to bed ahead of playing Carlton at Etihad Stadium.
 
The 21-year-old midfielder warmed up on his own before joining the main group in a series of drills that had him changing direction at top pace.
 
Suns high performance manager Stephen Schwerdt gave the thumbs up for Swallow's availability as the team left the training field and headed to the airport for their trip to Melbourne.
 
Swallow will be the fourth player to lead Gold Coast since captain Gary Ablett's season-ending shoulder injury last month, following in the footsteps of Michael Rischitelli, Dion Prestia and Tom Lynch.
 
Coach Guy McKenna said Swallow would not be playing if he was a risk of further injury.
 
"He's important. He's had a fantastic year for us," McKenna said.
 
"It's not the nature of his character to step away. In his eyes that's hoisting the white flag."

The Suns coach said he expected a "galvanised" Carlton outfit after a week of off-field turmoil that included fines for Jeff Garlett and Mitch Robinson following a late-night incident last weekend.
 
McKenna is good friends with Mick Malthouse after playing under him at West Coast and being an assistant coach to him at Collingwood, and said the Blues coach would have his team steeled for a strong performance.
 
"What I do know of Mick, that will certainly galvanise the group," McKenna said.
 
"If they needed any more motivation there's another 10 or 15 percent that he would use to make sure the boys understand how important discipline off the field is, but more importantly discipline on the field.
 
"I wouldn't like to be in a navy blue jumper this weekend and step out of a structure or be undisciplined on the field, that's for sure."
 
Sam Day failed to train with the Suns' main group but will take his place in the line-up after being quarantined with a minor illness.
Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting