GOLD COAST officials say they are "on track" in their bid to assemble a quality list ahead of the new club's entry to the AFL competition next season.

Chairman John Witheriff's claim that Gold Coast has already secured some quality talent from within AFL ranks may not only keep rival clubs on their toes, but also further fuel speculation Geelong champion Gary Ablett is heading north in 2011.

Under AFL rules, Gold Coast is unable to unveil any signings until the end of this season - something Witheriff expressed some frustration at when speaking on Friday.

Witheriff met with the AFL Commission for an update on Gold Coast's progress ahead of its inaugural campaign.

And he suggested that recent deals by high-profile players Lance Franklin (Hawthorn), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn), Joel Selwood (Geelong) and, most recently, Bryce Gibbs (Carlton) had not meant Gold Coast's recruiting options were drying up.

"We had a board meeting last night and [I] received an update on that plan and I have to say we are right on track," Witheriff told AAP.

"We can't make any comments. I know that exposes us to speculation.

"It's unfortunate but there is nothing we can do about that.

"We are looking forward to making some announcements towards ... September-October."

Several established players are coming out of contract at the end of the season, but there is no bigger name than Ablett.

His continued reluctance to re-sign with the Cats has dominated football news all season.

On Friday morning, Geelong chief executive Brian Cook refuted suggestions that discussions had been put on hold and said he would welcome reopening them with the Brownlow Medallist's management.

Meanwhile, Witheriff's remarks later in the day would have done nothing to ease the minds of rival clubs.

"I had the opportunity to go away for a day with senior executives the other day and a couple of them were lamenting the fact that it would be lovely to make some comments," Witheriff said.

"But at the end of the day, we live within a set of rules, we decided when we bought in that we were going to accept a set of values and we have no difficulty living in that framework."