Suns set on keeping Ablett, says 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 Ablett 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,” Ling said on 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 partner 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.