CATS ruckman Ryan Abbott says his love for the city of Geelong is one of the driving forces behind his desire to re-sign with the club.

Abbott told the Geelong Advertiser that despite rival interest, his wish is to play on at GMHBA Stadium in 2019.

“I am a local Geelong boy and have played all of my football here so the priority is to be playing with Geelong going forward,” he said.

“Obviously I haven’t re-signed yet at Geelong but I really do want to stay at his club.”

Abbott was selected with pick 69 in the 2016 AFL Draft after impressing for Grovedale in the Geelong Football League following a transition from basketball.

The two-metre-tall ruck’s time in basketball for local club Try Boys saw him play against a number of Geelong Supercats SEABL players.

Abbott says he didn’t see rival interest coming after playing his first four games at AFL level this year.

 “It is a little bit of as surprise but you never really know what is happening at other clubs,” Abbott said.

“There are injuries and players coming and going so there are obviously some opportunities.”

The 27-year-old said he was happy with the progress he made in 2018.  

 “Wacky Wednesday came a little bit earlier than we wanted to but on a personal level I was happy to get a chance to show what I can do at AFL level,” he said.

“I feel like I stayed in form for most of the year and tried to keep a focus to be ready to go when I was needed and I felt like I did that.”

That doesn’t mean Abbott is going to take the foot off the pedal.

“There is a real feeling that everyone starts at square one when we come back to pre-season,” he said.

“It is a really healthy competition but all three of us, hopefully, are there and all fighting for the number one spot, and that can only be of benefit to the team.”