Gary Ablett will return home to Geelong and pull on the blue and white hoops again in season 2018 after a trade agreement was reached between the Geelong Cats and Gold Coast Suns today.

Geelong has acquired Ablett, Gold Coast’s pick 24 in 2017 and fourth round pick in 2018 in exchange for Geelong’s pick 19 in 2017 and second round pick in 2018.

The dual Brownlow Medallist who requested a trade to Geelong in late September for family reasons, will return home after seven seasons with the Gold Coast.

Ablett will return to play his tenth season for Geelong, after nine years at the Cats from 2002 until 2010. He played 192 games and helped lead the Cats to premierships in 2007 and 2009. 

He won the 2009 Brownlow Medal and was twice a Carji Greeves Medal winner. Ablett won another Brownlow at Gold Coast in 2013 and has earned eight All-Australian selections throughout his glittering career. Ablett won his fourth Suns best & fairest in 2017.

Geelong’s General Manager of Football Simon Lloyd welcomed Ablett back to the Cats.

“We are very pleased to have Gary return to the club and the Geelong community,” Lloyd said.

“Gary is still playing exceptional football, and we believe he improves our team. He obviously has a long association with the club and to have Gary back, playing so well is an exciting day for everyone involved with the club. 

“We know in talking to Gary that he is thrilled about coming back to Geelong.”

Ablett has played 302 games and kicked 386 goals over a 16-season career with both the Cats and Suns.