GARY Ablett will meet with his manager in Melbourne next week to discuss whether he fulfills his contract with Gold Coast or seeks a trade, almost certainly to Geelong.
Ablett is contracted with the Suns until the end of next season, when he will become a free agent, but there has been widespread speculation he will seek to return to the Cats in next month's trade period, having unsuccessfully sought to do so last year.
Ablett's manager, Liam Pickering of Precision Sports Entertainment Group, said he would meet with his client next Monday or Tuesday to discuss his future, having already had preliminary discussions with Geelong.
Speaking at the launch of NAB AFL Trade Radio on Tuesday, Pickering gave little away about which way Ablett was leaning, but was confident the 33-year-old could play for another three or four seasons.
"We'll have a discussion next week when he's in town, he's back on the Gold Coast at the moment. We're due to catch up Monday or Tuesday, so there will be a clearer picture then I guess," Pickering said.
Pickering confirmed Ablett would take a pay cut if he moved to Geelong.
"If Gary Ablett was to land at Geelong, he wouldn't be playing for the money he's getting at the Gold Coast, that's for sure," Pickering said.
The high-profile player agent was non-committal when asked whether he was confident if Gold Coast and Geelong could agree to a trade and whether Ablett would retire if he didn't get to the Cattery.
However, Pickering said being closer to his family in Victoria was an important consideration for the dual Brownlow medallist.
"Gary is really close to his family, he's been away for seven years, so that was something that was weighed heavily last year and that was the reason that he asked for a trade last year," Pickering said.
"Obviously he's married now, so that will come into consideration for sure."
Pickering was in no doubt, however, that Ablett still had plenty of good football left in him.
"He's a pretty fit guy. He had a couple of years of injuries, but he's been pretty durable. I would think he would be able to play another three or four years, I genuinely do," he said.
"The way he plays … he won [Gold Coast's] best and fairest this year after (playing) 14 games and his games were unbelievable.
"He'll poll 20 votes in the Brownlow, he had a terrific season when he was available."
Ablett joined Gold Coast as one of the uncontracted player signings the expansion club was allowed ahead of its entry to the AFL in 2011.
At the time, Ablett was the biggest star in the game. In 192 games at Geelong from 2002-10, he won two premierships, two best and fairest awards, three AFLPA MVP awards and the 2009 Brownlow Medal.
In his seven seasons with the Gold Coast, Ablett has been the Suns' standout player, although injuries have restricted him to 49 games over the past four seasons.
Ablett captained the Suns from 2011-16, won the 2013 Brownlow Medal and has won four best and fairest awards (2011-13, 2017).