Former Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett says he is fully committed to the Gold Coast Suns, despite mounting speculation he will not see out his contract with the club.
Following Ablett's unusually quiet game against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday, reports linking the two-time Brownlow Medalist with a move back home to Geelong intensified.
Ablett admitted he did expect rumours to fly around about his future following his off-season request of a trade back to Geelong, but the 32-year-old quickly pledged his allegiance to the Suns.
“I kind of expected it (the speculation surrounding his future) leading into the season after everything that happened in the off-season, with me asking for a trade,” Ablett said on GOLD FM.
“I think everyone knows my reasons why I had that conversation but at the same time I’m fully committed to the Suns – and I told them that.
“Now I’m looking forward to getting into the game this week and I’m confident we will put in a better performance than in the first two rounds.”
The Suns star was criticised for his poor showing against the Giants last weekend although he wasn't the only one to blame, with many of the side underperforming in the big loss.
Ablett said this weekend's clash with Hawthorn is the perfect time for his side to turn their season around.
“Obviously it has been a disappointing start to the season for the Suns.
“I think we just need to get back to playing good football. We believe in our brand of football.
“It was a terrible start in Round 1 (against Brisbane) but we got ourselves back into the game yet didn’t get the win.
“Then the performance on the weekend (v GWS) just wasn’t good enough.
“To lose by 100 points? We need to bounce back and put in good performances.”
Ablett believes the poor start to the season is purely confidence based, and says the Suns need to keep themselves in games for longer periods of time.
“It’s mental, without a doubt,” he said.
“We believe in our brand of football. I think ‘Rocket’ (coach Rodney Eade) has done a great job in implementing the right drills at training.
“It wasn’t that long ago in the pre-season games we were playing some really good football, moving the ball well.
“I think confidence within a group is a big thing.
“We didn’t start well against Brisbane and you could see the boys’ heads drop after that. We did a great job in getting back in the game but we didn’t get the win.
“Then obviously on the weekend, taking nothing away from GWS, they’re a very good side, but we can’t be losing games by 100 points.
“We need to be competitive and give ourselves the opportunity of winning games.”
