GOLD Coast plans to be "creative" in Gary Ablett negotiations in a bid to lure a quality player for the wantaway superstar who has his sights set on rejoining Geelong.
Ablett still has a year to run on the three-year contract he signed in 2015, and the Suns' list and strategy manager Scott Clayton told NAB AFL Trade Radio that was a factor in any deal.
"I suppose I can say at the start that it's not a free agency opportunity," Clayton said.
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"He's contracted, so there's a whole different slant and it is predicated on doing a deal with Geelong. Clearly Gary and Geelong have got an arrangement, now it's up to us.
"There are no hard feelings – all our conversations with Gary have been very professional and fine and caring – but we're in the business of winning footy matches and being successful, so clearly we need to do something that we can use and helps us."
Cats midfield star Mitch Duncan is one player Gold Coast has shown interest in through early negotiations. Duncan is unlikely to feature in any potential trade, but Clayton said a fringe player would not cut it.
"We've had two or three conversations with Geelong, and certainly Mitch's name came up in regards to, perhaps, a bigger trade," he said.
"All I'll say is, philosophically, we need to bring in someone that's going to play for us, and be in our top 22.
"To think that a deal can be done for someone who's perhaps not in their best 22 and then not in ours (is unrealistic)."
The Suns are set for a busy exchange period, with contracted dasher Adam Saad and out-of-contract forward Brandon Matera linked to rival clubs.
Saad, who led the competition in bounces this season and was 10th in Gold Coast's best and fairest, re-signed with the Queensland club last year until the end of 2018.
Collingwood is reportedly among several Victorian clubs keen to lure him home.
"There is some cultural sensitivity in his circumstance," Clayton said of Saad.
"We have great respect for each other (and) Adam's been great. He loves our footy club, but there are some very strong bonded family issues we've worked through over the last few years and we'll continue to do so.
"I'm not sure what that will bring in the next little bit, but certainly we're doing everything we can in regards to Adam's position."
Matera seems almost certain to find his way to Fremantle, with Clayton revealing the Dockers' offer is longer and more lucrative than what the Suns can present him. But Aaron Hall looks set to remain on the Gold Coast.
The Suns will likely have a formidable draft hand again and are already armed with four picks inside the top 25, including the No.2 overall.
