After an emotional rollercoaster of a week, Gary Ablett is going home.
The dual Brownlow Medallist will make his long-anticipated return to Geelong after Gold Coast agreed to grant him an AFL trade with minutes to spare before Thursday's deadline.
Ablett had long sought a trade to be closer to his family and his two-year deal with the Cats was made official just days after the sudden death of his sister Natasha.
"This week has been an emotional roller coaster," Ablett wrote on his Exclusive Insight website.
"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 to get around the club and my new teammates in due time."
Ablett, who played 192 games for Geelong before joining the Suns on a multi-million dollar deal, said the support his family had received over the past week had been overwhelming.
"It saddens me deeply to have to say goodbye to my beautiful sister who will always be a part of our family," he wrote.
"Her gentle spirit, her generosity, her humility and her big smile will never be forgotten."
Gold Coast received the No.19 draft pick Geelong gained as compensation for restricted free agent Steven Motlop's departure to Port Adelaide.
The Cats received pick No.24 in exchange, with the two clubs also swapping future selections.
Geelong fans will be salivating at the prospect of Ablett lining up alongside Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood in what will surely be the competition's most dangerous midfield.
The decision to trade in Ablett suggests the Cats see themselves as being firmly within their premiership window after consecutive preliminary final losses.
"We've given up a bit to do that in next year's draft and also in this year's draft but it's a great story, Gary coming back to Geelong," list manager Stephen Wells told reporters.
"Clearly next year, he will play most of the season as a 34-year-old but Gary's very confident he's got a lot of good footy left in him."
Ablett was denied a trade at the end of last season and negotiations again went down to the wire with Gold Coast initially seeking a Geelong player as part of the deal.
Gold Coast chief Mark Evans issued a statement on Thursday saying he wished the best for Ablett and wife Jordan.
"On behalf of everyone at the Gold Coast Suns, we thank Gary for his contribution to our football club," Evans said.
"He played a significant role growing the game of AFL throughout Queensland and, as our inaugural captain and first ever Brownlow Medallist, he will be forever celebrated at our club."
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