Gold Coast demand sunset clause before Ablett heads to Cats
GOLD Coast will demand an established senior player and a significant cash payment in return for departing superstar Gary Ablett.
The champion midfielder yesterday formally requested a trade to Geelong and told the Suns he would retire with one year remaining on his contract unless a deal was struck in next month’s trade period. Negotiations between the clubs are believed to have begun with the Suns determined to secure a ready- made replacement player and $ 200,000 to $ 300,000 as part of the Ablett exchange.
The cash component would help pay back some of the money the Suns have paid in advance to the 33- year- old as part of his most recent $ 1 million- a- year deal.
Sources close to Ablett are adamant there was no chance the dazzling ball winner would return to Gold Coast next year. He plans to live in Victoria to be closer to family in 2018.
Manager Liam Pickering yesterday said the Suns respected Ablett’s contribution over seven seasons at Gold Coast.
“From that perspective all parties hopefully will be able to get a deal done,” Pickering said. “At this stage the focus is purely on getting to Geelong.”
Ablett’s request will bring into sharp focus the future of a group of mid- tier Cats including uncontracted midfielder Darcy Lang, wingman Jake Kolodjashnij, backman Fraser Thurlow, speedster Jordan Murdoch, Queenslander Wylie Buzza and nippy forwards Corey Gregson and Lincoln McCarthy.
Without a deal for next season, Lang is potentially the most vulnerable to a move and showed considerable promise racking up 26 possessions in the Cats’ semi- final win over Sydney Swans.
The Daily Telegraph understands the Cats are not prepared to give up senior stars such as Mitch Duncan and Cameron Guthrie or talented line breaker Nakia Cockatoo for Ablett.