Advertisement

Family tragedy puts Ablett trade request in perspective

AFL star Gary Ablett Jr and his family are mourning the loss of his oldest sister Natasha.

Alisha Ablett posted a heartfelt tribute to Instagram on Friday, saying growing up with Natasha and their brothers Gary and Nathan was the "Worlds best gift".

"Natasha - you were the strongest women Iv ever known with an absolute heart of gold! 1982-2017," she wrote.



Natasha, aged in her mid-30s and the daughter of former Geelong star Gary Ablett Sr, had been receiving treatment in Geelong and is believed to have died in non-suspicious circumstances.

Barwon Health says it has commissioned an independent review into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Ablett has previously requested a trade home from the Gold Coast. Image: Getty
Ablett has previously requested a trade home from the Gold Coast. Image: Getty

Ablett Jr has previously made a public push to be traded back to Geelong from the Gold Coast.

"I need to be around my family back home, who I have spent the last 7 years doing long distance with," he recently wrote on his website.

"My sisters, my brother, and parents all play a huge role in my life, and it's time that I make myself more available to them and others back home."

Nathan and Gary Ablett playing for Geelong together. Image: Getty
Nathan and Gary Ablett playing for Geelong together. Image: Getty

Ablett's homecoming trade to Geelong took a step closer last week after the Cats held fruitful talks with Gold Coast.

After seven seasons, Ablett announced he wanted out of the final year of his contract with the Suns to shift back to Geelong, where he played the first nine years of his career and played in the 2007 and 2009 premierships.

TAKE A BOW DUSTY: Martin's incredible gesture for young Richmond fan

Gold Coast have stood firm on their demand for a player and a draft pick for the 33-year-old two-time Brownlow Medal winner - terms that Cats coach Chris Scott has previously baulked at.

But when the two parties met at Etihad Stadium on Monday morning at the official start of trade period, Geelong came to the party with a list of players for the Suns to consider.

"It's more likely, obviously most (deals get done), but there's some work to do, there's no doubt about that, we're not quite at the finishing line yet," Gold Coast list manager Scott Clayton said.

"They have (offered up players) but am I prepared to say who? No. With due respect it's not fair to bandy names around and we wouldn't.

"We had a conversation but we'll catch up with them in a couple of days.

"To think that anything will be done in the first couple of hours of day one is probably not realistic."

Darcy Lang, a 21-year-old first-round pick at the 2013 draft, is the Cats player who has been most strongly linked with a trade for Ablett, who has threatened to retire if he doesn't get his wish.

with AAP