Gold Coast captain Jarrod Witts has had a setback, getting surgery on his left foot.
The ruckman is expected to be ready for Round 1, and maybe even the Marsh Community series, despite going under the knife.
Witts suffered the injury while training during the club’s Christmas break.
The 27-year-old won Gold Coast’s best and fairest last season and has played 62 games for the club since leaving Collingwood.
The Suns added to their ruck depth by bringing back Zac Smith in the trade period following the retirement of Tom Nicholls and the delisting of Brayden Crossley.