MOST players would lose sleep the week before lining up on Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett. Not Andrew Raines, who is relishing the chance to stop one of the game's best players.

Raines will be charged with one of the toughest jobs in football on Saturday night when he goes toe-to-toe with Ablett in the third edition of the QClash at the Gabba.

The Brisbane Lions' midfielder had a disrupted pre-season with a niggling knee injury, but played his first game against Fremantle last weekend and came through with flying colours.

He ran with Stephen Hill and kept the damaging Freo midfielder to just 14 disposals. He knows Saturday night will be a different challenge altogether though.

Ablett has been in white-hot form to start the 2012 season, racking up 42, 40 and 45 disposals in his first three games.

Raines has followed the Brownlow medallist before and said it was a match-up he was looking forward to.

"It's always a big task, he's one of the best players in the competition," Raines said.

"It's not just about the individual, it's about the team and our midfield taking him on and being accountable and making it a team effort to try and shut him down."

Raines said the toughest part of trying to lock down Ablett was his mix between inside and outside play.

Not only is Ablett leading the league with an average of 42 disposals a game, but he has kicked six goals and also has more clearances (28) than any other player.

Raines said one of his keys to limiting Ablett's output was to be proactive.

"You can't be too negative and you've just got to play on instinct," he said.

"The old saying is if you've got the ball, they don't. It's just trying to get that balance right. That's a big thing with my development in that role that I continue to work on.

"Early on or when the game changes with a couple of goals against you or they've got a couple of really quick touches, you have to lock down."

Raines is originally from the Gold Coast and was drafted by Richmond ahead of the 2004 season.

He said giving up his own game to play the run-with roles gave him a huge sense of satisfaction.

"I do relish it," Raines said.

"I think my first year at Richmond I got some really big tasks and since the start of my career it's been like that and I've really looked forward to the challenges the coaches have given me.

"Just the reward you get through your teammates, you might not get it through the media, it's not all about stats and things like that, it's about how you can influence the team.

"I'll tell you what, doing a job and getting the recognition of your teammates, I don't think there's any better feeling."

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting

Andrew Raines is a $295,900 midfielder in Toyota AFL Dream Team. Register your team here.