Fans salivate at the prospect of star’s homecoming

IT may lack the world relevance but for Geelong fans Gary Ablett’s homecoming request is every bit as important as the 1942 “I shall return” statement made by famed US military leader General Douglas MacArthur.

MacArthur did return to play a vital role in winning the war of the Pacific while Ablett is hoping his attempted bid to rejoin the club he left in 2010 will also prove successful. The thought of him, even at age 34 in May next year, playing in the same side as Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood has Cats fans salivating, particularly as he and Dangerfield have both produced seasons where they have kicked more than 40 goals despite playing largely in the midfield.

There was no surprise in the announcement because Ablett was never going to play another year with the Suns.

His heart, and indeed that of his wife Jordan, has been set on returning to Cat-land for more than 12 months.

Ablett knows he cost himself a flag by accepting a oncein-a-lifetime deal to join the Suns in 2011 and now he hungers for a third flag. So how does the deal get done?

His situation is unique given his age would suggest a second-or-third-round draft pick would normally be seen as reasonable, but Ablett is contracted to Gold Coast so it holds the whip hand. As such it requires and deserves equate compensation.

Against that Ablett has made it clear he will only play with Geelong if he continues his career. If the deal doesn’t get done then his threat to retire is a real possibility and don’t discount him standing out of football next season and then be returning a year later.

So while the Gold Coast needs to get something out of the deal, it doesn’t want to be left with zilch for a player it has rewarded so handsomely. The ad- Suns have been in talks with Geelong over the past two months in the knowledge Ablett would leave.

They have tabled a group of players they consider fair trades, with Darcy Lang’s name prominent, and players are what the Suns require rather than draft picks.

Who else would Gold Coast consider? Nakia Cockatoo and Cameron Guthrie are certainly required by Geelong but good enough to have attracted Gold Coast interest.