Two-time Brownlow Medalist Gary Ablett has completed his return to the club where it all started and where his famous father made his name, signing a two-year deal with Geelong.

The Suns have traded Ablett, pick 24 and their 2018 round four selection to the Cats, who have traded pick 19 (which it received as compensation for losing Motlop) and their 2018 round two selection to the Gold Coast.

The Suns had initially demanded a player in the Cats' best 22 be part of a deal for Ablett, with the likes of Mitch Duncan, Jake Kolodjashnij and Nakia Cockatoo all knocked back by Geelong.

Ablett requested a trade back home for family reasons at the end of last season, but his move was rejected by the Suns.

The two-time premiership player played 192 games for Geelong, before joining the Suns, where he played 110 matches and won four best and fairests.

Gary Ablett honour roll:

  • Two-time Premiership player: 2007, 2009
  • Two-time Brownlow Medal winner: 2009, 2013
  • Five-time AFLPA MVP: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013
  • Eight-time All-Australian team: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
  • Two-time Carji Greeves Medal winner: 2007, 2009
  • Four-time Gold Coast Suns Club Champion: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017
  • Two-time Gold Coast leading goalkicker: 2012, 2013
  • Geelong leading goalkicker: 2006
  • Gold Coast captain: 2011–2016