MANY have speculated Gary Ablett will spend the majority of his time up forward this year, but the Gold Coast superstar still believes the midfield will be his domain in 2017.
After three successive seasons ruined by knee and shoulder injuries, Ablett, 32, is finally fully fit and ready to resume his glittering career.
The Suns star has played just 35 games in his last three seasons due to injury, but feels he can have a significant impact in helping to lead his side to the finals.
"I believe I've got plenty left in the body and that I'm still able to play high-level football through the midfield," Ablett said on Thursday.
"I'll sit down with 'Rocket' (coach Rodney Eade) leading into round one and we'll just work out what position he thinks is best for me this year.
"I'm confident that the majority of my time will be spent in the midfield."
Ablett said being free of the captaincy had allowed him to concentrate on other things going on his life, as well taking the burden off his return to the field.
"That was part of the reason why I stepped down (from the captaincy," Ablett said.
"It's been a frustrating time for me over the last 24 months with the shoulder injuries and the knee injury so it gives me a bit more time to get my body right and also spend a bit more time on other things I'm passionate about.
"I'm starting that transition from football into whatever is next for me in life."
Ablett was officially inducted as a Life Member of the AFL, alongside Matthew Boyd, Jarrad McVeigh and Luke Hodge at a gala event in Melbourne on Thursday evening.
John Birt and Ross Glendinning were others to be honoured with life membership.
Umpires Matthew Nicholls, Simon Meredith and Dean Margetts, as well as former AFL commissioner Sam Mostyn, were also honoured for their contributions to the game.
Ablett, who has played 288 games for Geelong and now Gold Coast, said he would cherish the individual acknowledgment.
"To look back now, I've been in the system 16 years, and it's been quite a journey," Ablett said.
"I've been able to achieve a lot in that time, win a couple of premierships and now to be inducted as a life member is a pretty special thing for me."
Gary Ablett with outgoing AFL Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick. Picture: AFL Photos
