WHY GAZZA’S NOT COMING HOME: LING

CAMERON Ling doubts dual premiership teammate Gary Ablett will return to Geelong for a fairytale finish to one of the game’s most decorated careers.

The premiership captain yesterday said it would be too difficult for the Cats to strike a trade for Ablett in October, with the two-time Brownlow medallist still producing scintillating football for Gold Coast.

The complex situation means Ablett is likely to either continue at the Suns next season or retire.

Ling does not expect the Suns to simply relinquish Ablett for a late draft pick, as Hawthorn did with best-andfairest Sam Mitchell last year. “I don’t see (a trade) happening,” he told Nova yesterday.

“Geelong won’t give anything up for him, and they shouldn’t at that age, but the Suns will expect and quite rightly demand something for him. So I reckon it will be a bit hard.”

It had been widely expected that Ablett’s trade wish would be granted, allowing him to join Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood in a marvellous midfield.

But Suns chief executive Mark Evans confirmed the expansion club wanted to keep its former captain, who is contracted in 2018.

“I’ll fight to make sure he wants to stay at the Gold Coast Suns because I can see a great opportunity for him and a great opportunity for us,” Evans said.

The Suns already hold five draft picks in the first two rounds and their clear trade preference last year was to secure established talent.

Ablett, 33, could win a record ninth All-Australian selection this year.