Cats and Suns edge closer to Ablett deal
AAP AFL GARY Ablett’s homecoming AFL trade to Geelong is a step closer after the Cats held fruitful talks with Gold Coast yesterday.
After seven seasons, Ablett announced he wanted out of the final year of his contract with the Suns to shift back to Geelong, where he spent the first nine years of his career.
Gold Coast have stood firm on their demand for a player and a draft pick for the twotime Brownlow Medal winner – terms Cats coach Chris Scott has previously baulked at.
But when the two parties met at Etihad Stadium yesterday at the official start of trade period, Geelong came to the party with a list of players for the Suns to consider.
“It’s more likely, obviously most (deals get done), but there’s some work to do, there’s no doubt about that,” Gold Coast list manager Scott Clayton said. “They have (offered up players) but am I prepared to say who? No.”
Darcy Lang, a 21-year-old first-round pick at the 2013 draft, is the Cats player most strongly linked with a trade for Ablett, who has threatened to retire if he doesn’t get his wish.
Ablett explained his trade request in an open letter published yesterday.
Writing for Exclusive Insight, he said he wanted to spend more time with his Victorian-based family: “Sixteen years on, now married and looking to start a family, my priorities have shifted.”