GARY ABLETT REJOINS GEELONG FROM GOLD COAST; DARCY LANG LEAVES CATS FOR BLUES
Ben Jensen 19 October 2017

AFL TRADES 2017 GARY ABLETT DARCY LANG GARY ABLETT's move back to Geelong from Gold Coast was finally confirmed this afternoon while Darcy Lang's career will be elsewhere, off to Carlton. Ablett was traded in exchange for pick 19, received as compensation for losing Steven Motlop to Port Adelaide, and the Cats' second round pick in 2018. Geelong also received pick 24 from the Suns, and their round fourth pick from 2018.

Lang was traded to Carlton in exchange for pick 58; the Cats also agreeing to give the Blues their fourth round pick from 2018 (which they arguably don't need now they've the Suns' 2018 pick). The other Geelong trade was sending this year's third-round pick to Premiers Richmond, in exchange for the Tigers' 2018 third round pick. The mind boggles.

Ablett played 192 AFL games for the Cats in nine seasons, one Brownlow and two AFL premierships. He was also memorably part of the 2002 VFL premiership. He played 110 games for the Suns, winning a second Brownlow.

So Gary Ablett to Geelong from Gold Coast & pick 24, round 4 2018, Suns get pick 19 & a round 2 2018#Geelong #AFLTrades #GaryAblett

— Ben «?¿?» (@thecattery) October 19, 2017

WHAT THEY SAID

Gary Ablett

"Firstly, I'd like to thank both the Gold Coast Suns and the Geelong Football Club for their support this week after the passing of my much-loved sister Tash.

I'd also like to thank the fans, supporters and wider community for your thoughts, prayers and heartfelt words. The support has been overwhelming.

It saddens me deeply to have to say goodbye to my beautiful sister who will always be a part of our family.

We will miss her every day. Her gentle spirit, her generosity, her humility and her big smile will never be forgotten.

This week has been an emotional roller coaster, however, hearing that I will be returning home has brought both myself and my family some joy during what has been a difficult and painful time.

I'm excited to return to where it all began and get around the club and my new teammates in due time.

I can still remember being super nervous as I made my way down to Simonds Stadium for the first time since becoming a Suns player. I had prepared myself for some serious booing and a really hard time.

However, when I stepped out onto the field, the Geelong crowd cheered me on and showed me nothing but support. I’m really looking forward to getting back and playing for them again!

For now, my family and I would like to thank everyone for your on-going respect of our privacy as we prepare to say a final goodbye to Tash."

Stephen Wells, Geelong recruiting Tsar

"It was good that Gary ended up joining Geelong, it was no certainty all the way through the trade period, but in the end the Gold Coast have done what they'd said they would do". "We've given up a bit to do that in next year's draft and this year's draft, but it's a great story coming back to Geelong, having won a best-and-fairest this year and still got plenty of good footy ahead of him."

Simon Lloyd, General Manager of Football

“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.”