Ling could well have been the Federal Treasurer deflecting queries about a multi-billion-dollar deficit on Thursday as he calmly answered questions regarding the Cats' marquee man.
Ablett is the primary focus of the Gold Coast's southern raids on AFL clubs ahead of their 2011 entry to the national competition.
The Gold Coast is rumoured to be offering the Brownlow medallist a deal of around $1.5 million a season to head north, something the Cats will be unable to match.
Ablett, whose brother Nathan will this season play in the VFL for the Gold Coast, is yet to commit beyond this season but Ling says the Cats aren't perturbed by his reluctance to make a call on his future.
"Within the media and within the footy public there's obviously a lot of interest in it, but quite honestly within the footy club, there's nothing; it's non-existent," Ling said from the AFL's captains' day at Etihad Stadium on Thursday.
"I know that we are and Gary is completely focused on 2010 and more importantly on round one.
"Gary's had a terrific pre-season. He's dealing with it all fine because as I say, it really isn't as issue within the club.
"We almost don't care. All we care about is 2010 is playing against Essendon in round one."
Speculation about Ablett's future is likely to persist throughout the season but the Geelong captain doesn't seem to mind.
"We'll deal with his decision, whatever happens, down the track, but for now it's just not an issue," he said.
"It's just not something we even think about or talk about or even worry about.
"If we focused all our energy on that, then we wouldn't be ready for Essendon in round one and they'd give us an absolute hiding, so we're completely focused on round one."
Likewise, Ling didn't seem fussed the 25-year-old was yet to re-sign with the Cats despite it seeming unlikely Ablett's market value could further increase this season.
"There's probably 100 other AFL players who don't sign a contract round one or before round one, [so] it's each to their own when they want to sign their contract," he said.
"So Gary will deal with it when it comes, but as I said it's really not an issue within the footy club."
