DEPARTED Geelong premiership forward Nathan Ablett will be back in the navy blue and white next season after agreeing to join the Broadbeach Cats in the AFL Queensland competition.

Ablett, who sensationally walked away from a lucrative career in January, has signed a one-year deal to play with Broadbeach.

The brother of Geelong star Gary told the Gold Coast Bulletin he is looking forward to the more relaxed setting of the Queensland state league competition and hopes to become a personal trainer after moving north earlier this year.

And Ablett, who booted 46 goals in 32 matches for Geelong in a role that had him rarely venture outside of the forward 50, might even be looking for a move into the midfield like his older brother.

"Where I'm best suited for the side will be my main option but I've always loved being around the ball," he said.

"Whether the coach tells me to go down back or forward or wherever that's where I'll play.

"But I'll always be hinting to him, 'Can I have a run on the ball?' I'm just looking forward to having a run ... trying to do my best and enjoy it."

Broadbeach club development manager Bob Walters managed to convince Ablett to sign on after he also considered joining another Gold Coast club, Southport.

"I had a look at Southport and had a kick there but I thought it was a bit too big," Ablett said.

"I sort of wanted to keep it low key, and thought Broadbeach was that sort of a club."

Ablett's former teammates started pre-season training with a session at Skilled Stadium on Thursday.