AFL
John Salvado 6y

Thrilled Ablett may play on beyond current deal

AFL

Gary Ablett says he's super-excited to be back at his hometown club Geelong, where he will form part of a star-studded midfield alongside Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield.

After a seven-year stint with Gold Coast, the dual Brownlow medallist was traded back to the Cats in October.

Ablett has signed a two-year contract but has not ruled out playing on for longer if his body holds up.

"That is a hard question to answer," he said on Wednesday.

"I'm 33 now and the body is still feeling really great.

"I feel I have got some good years left in the midfield and then I may drift forward after that.

"I put a lot of time into my football, a lot of time into my preparation and my recovery.

"I will continue to do that and it will be a decision I make after the next two years - I have got a two-year contract and let's see where the body is at and the head is at and make a decision from there."

Ablett insisted he had no regrets about leaving the Cats at the end of 2010 to become the inaugural captain of the Suns, even though he was disappointed they were unable to enjoy any real team success.

The wish to be closer to his family was a major motivation in his decision to seek a trade back to Geelong, especially with the death of older sister Natasha in October.

"There has been a fair bit go on in the last month or so which you guys know about," he told reporters.

"The second thing is, I love this football club; it is the football club I grew up supporting.

"Obviously I moved away seven years ago, I felt that was something I needed to do for me but I'm super-excited to come back.

"The club has made the preliminary final in the last two years so I feel like I can offer a lot to the list with my experience and football ability."

Ablett was a key member of the Geelong teams which won the 2007 and 2009 flags, although he was in his first year with the Suns when the Cats saluted again in 2011.

Selwood, Tom Hawkins, Harry Taylor, Mitch Duncan and Dan Menzel are the only five players still on the Cats' list who have previously played in the blue and white hoops alongside Ablett.

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