GARY ABLETT TO QUIT GEELONG FOR AFL NEW BOYS GOLD COAST SUNS TODAY
Ben Jensen 29 September 2010

GEELONG CATS STAR GARY ABLETT will quit today, according to prominent football journalist Caroline Wilson. All this comes some 18 hours' after it was confirmed coach Mark Thompson has all but quit, leaving the Cast somewhat in crisis. A press conference has been schedule at Crown Casino for 12:30, involving Ablett and Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna, so it is a done deal. The news comes one year to the day that Ken Hinkley left the Cats to take up another assistant role with the Suns, ironically one he may leave to take up the Cats' senior job when Thompson goes. Ablett has already been removed from the Geelong Football Club website (see player's list here). Discuss in our forum on Facebook

Wilson broke the news on The Age's sister organisation 3AW (both owned by Fairfax now), who soon had interviews with club boss Brian Cook and AFL boss Andrew Demetriou.

Cook admitted yesterday at the press conference relating to Thompson that he held little hope of retaining Ablett, but hadn't completely given up. This morning he was that little bit more pessimistic, but added he had not spoken to Ablett or his manager Liam Pickering.

AFL boss Demetriou, speaking on 3AW after Wilson, poured cold water over suggestions Ablett would be paid at the upper end of the $1.5 - 2.0 Million a season range.

Debate on Facebook:

ECHOS OF 1999? NOT REALLY

Some folk, possibly including us initially, can see parallels between now and post-season 1999, when coach Gary Ayres and captain Leigh Colbert (remember him?) walked out within days of each other. The difference between now and then is we're still an AFL force on field, Ablett isn't captain, we aren't $10Million+ in debt and have a great supporter base and profitable stadium.