DUAL Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett is set to extend his contract with Gold Coast and will also remain the AFL's highest paid player.
The 30-year-old was coming off contract at the end of next season, but it's understood the new deal will take the superstar midfielder through to the end of the 2018 season.
Although a new contract is yet to be officially confirmed, discussions are well advanced.
"It would be fantastic to confirm Gaz and the club had agreed on a new deal. But unfortunately, it's not the case. Not yet, anyway," the Suns tweeted in response to recent speculation.
The contract extension should finally end speculation Ablett could return to Geelong to finish his career.
Currently recovering from shoulder surgery, Ablett will accept a pay cut on the original five-year deal he signed when he left Geelong, although he will still make more than $1 million per season.
Earlier this year in an interview with AFL.com.au, Ablett flagged his intention to discuss a new deal with the Suns and play out the rest of his career on the Gold Coast.
"I'm sure throughout this year I'll be talking to the club and we'll be going through that negotiation process," Ablett said back in March.
Ablett has played 76 matches for the Suns since their debut season back in 2011, kicking 96 goals.
He was a heavy favourite to pick up a third Brownlow Medal this year before sustaining his shoulder injury in round 16.
Despite missing seven matches this season, Ablett is still the second favourite for the Brownlow, behind only former teammate and current Cats skipper Joel Selwood.
Ablett has played 268 AFL games and kicked 358 goals since making his debut with the Cats back in 2002.
