GARY Ablett's manager says Geelong could retain the Brownlow Medallist, who is yet to decide whether to accept a lucrative offer from Gold Coast.

Ablett was comfortably the Cats' best player in Friday night's preliminary final loss to Collingwood, and added to speculation he had made his last appearance for the club with an emotional exit from the field.

The 26-year-old, whose 192 games include Geelong's 2007 and 2009 premierships, confirmed in June that he would not make a decision on his playing future until the end of the season.

However, Geelong and Gold Coast will be given a final opportunity to pitch for Ablett's services over the next week, with his manager Liam Pickering telling Melbourne radio station SEN that neither is leading the race.

"Absolutely," was Pickering's response when asked if it was a 50-50 ball game.

"They (the Cats) will put their presentation in front of Gary again - one more time - which will be good.

"In the end, Gary will make a call.

"I'll sit down with Gary over the next few days, and then we'll go down and meet Cooky (Geelong chief executive Brian Cook) and Balmey (football manager Neil Balme) and the boys, and probably do the same with the Gold Coast.

"Everyone thinks they know what's going on, but they don't."

Pickering acknowledged that Ablett was struggling with the decision, which may have explained his demeanour after Friday night's game.

He also said that he had done nothing to steer his client towards making one, but had outlined the possible pros and cons of re-signing with Geelong and crossing to the competition's new franchise.

"I don't think it's an easy decision," Pickering said, adding that there wouldn't be an announcement ahead of the grand final.

"Gary's an independent bloke. He'll make his own decision."

Geelong president Frank Costa said on Friday night that he didn't believe the club would lose its star midfielder.

Gold Coast released a statement on Saturday afternoon advising that it would not comment on Ablett's future or its process for recruiting uncontracted players.

"As has been our practice with uncontracted player negotiations, we will not be commenting on the status of discussions," its chief executive Travis Auld said.

"Official announcements will be made when, and if, arrangements are finalised. We understand there is pressure to make announcements and speculation around uncontracted player signings is intense.

"However, we have a process we need to complete."