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SUPERSTAR Gold Coast midfielder Gary Ablett declares he has no regrets about his move to the Suns but cited being closer to family as his reason for seeking a move back to Geelong.

Ablett, 33, officially requested a trade to the Cats late last month after seven years at the Queensland-based club. 

He also tried unsuccessfully to seek a trade back to Geelong last year.

Writing on his new website Exclusive Insight, Ablett revealed how profound the lure of coming back home was.

"As most people know, success and sacrifice go hand in hand. As grateful as I am for my career and everything that has come with it, having it consume most of my life has meant that other areas have had to take a back seat during that time," Ablett said.

"Sixteen years on, now married and looking to start a family, my priorities have shifted. I need to be around my family back home, who I have spent the last seven years doing long distance with.

"My sisters, my brother, and parents all play a huge role in my life, and it's time that I make myself more available to them and others back home.

"I am at a stage in my career where I need to get the balance right between footy and life outside of football, and the recent break period has allowed me the time that I needed to put certain things in place."

Ablett moved to Gold Coast after nine years at Geelong, which yielded two premierships and a Brownlow Medal.

"People will wonder whether I regret my decision signing with the Gold Coast Suns. I can promise you, that is simply not true," he said.

"Although I am requesting for my time to come to an end on the Gold Coast, there is absolutely nothing that I would have done differently."

The NAB AFL Trade Period begins at 9AM AEDT on Monday morning. 

The full text of Gary Ablett’s Letter to the Game is available at Exclusive Insight.