GOLD Coast captain Gary Ablett has throw his support behind Karmichael Hunt's desire to extend his AFL contract, saying he has rarely met anyone with the former league international's work ethic.

Hunt's three-year deal with the Suns expires at the end of the 2012 season and there has been speculation the 25-year-old had received offers to return to either league or rugby union.

While Hunt said he had not even begun negotiations, his skipper Ablett quickly went into bat for the robust defender.

"Ever since he's come to the club he's been fantastic," Ablett said on Monday afternoon.

"I've been playing AFL football for 10 or 11 years and I've really not met that many guys with the same workrate that K's got."

Ablett won two premierships with Geelong in 2007 and 2009 and played alongside some of the modern day superstars including Matthew Scarlett, Jimmy Bartel and Steve Johnson.

But the Brownlow medallist was all praise for Hunt, as much for his off-field work as on it.

"What he's been able to do for the younger boys in helping them become leaders has been fantastic and hopefully he can stay on after this year and we can win some premierships in the future, that'd be great," Ablett said.

After starting in Gold Coast's VFL team in 2010, Hunt played 16 games in the Suns' inaugural season, most of them in defence.

He won the club's Most Improved Award and also played an instrumental off-field role in helping homesick teenager Harley Bennell overcome some initial difficulties.

Hunt said he had not even begun discussing his contract with his manager and was likely to do so in the New Year, but was keen to stay at the Suns.

"I enjoy playing with this bloke (Ablett) here and I'm having a great time on the Gold Coast," Hunt said.

"I'm maturing as a player but also trying to help the club mature as well. I'm enjoying my football so we'll see what happens. Hopefully I get to stay.

"Contracts aren't my thing. My manager comes up and talks to me when it's time and I'll just hear what he has to say, but other than that I'm not fishing around for anything else, I'll just worry about what I have to do at the football club."

Michael Whiting covers Gold Coast news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mike_whiting