Cats still fighting to get Ablett into hub

GEELONG will continue to investigate options with the AFL to get Gary Ablett into a hub ahead of the September 1 flight to the Gold Coast.

The league’s quarantine hub has now been taken over by clubs, with early indications that Ablett might be prevented from reconnecting with his teammates early.

But the Cats will not give up their quest to fast-track his quarantine, given it would potentially give him two more games to warm up for a premiership tilt.

If he left with an AFL delegation that includes chief executive Gillon McLachlan on September 1, he would quarantine for 14 days and then be out on the Monday before Round 18.

The AFL has not given up hope of securing an exemption for Ablett but it would be problematic given he would also need to train outside of his hotel or accommodation or lose valuable fitness. Otherwise he would be just as well served remaining in Geelong until September 1.

If he was given permission to fly north by Friday, he would be available for three games and, at worst, two before finals.

Richmond was able to charter a flight to the Gold Coast for Tom Lynch on the night Victorian borders closed, which meant the Tigers did not have to re-set their 14-day quarantine.

The Tigers would likely send Shane Edwards up with Ablett if the league could set up a small quarantine hub for players with exemptions, with the Richmond star training at Punt Road today.

But with his wife just having given birth to a baby girl. he would be comfortable waiting until September 1.