Suns CEO Mark Evans has leapt to the defence of former Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett, saying he is "sick and tired" of people criticising the two-time Brownlow medallist.
Much speculation has been made about Ablett's future at the Gold Coast, after he asked for a trade back to his former club Geelong at the end of last season despite his contract at the Suns running until the end of 2018.
Ablett spoke on Channel Nine's The Footy Show earlier on this season, and said a move back to the Cats wasn't off the cards.
On Melbourne radio station SEN on Saturday morning, Evans said the continual slamming of Ablett had just gone on too far.
"I'm sick and tired of people digging into Gary and not paying enough respect to what he's done in his career," Evans said.
"At round two, we questioned Gary Ablett for a poor game, and he played poorly. (He) doesn't back away from that, but make the critique proper.
"After China, where he can't play the next week with a shoulder and decides not to after a fitness test, and we question his preparation and recovery, how about paying respect to a guy who's about to play his 300th game in a few weeks' time.
"Eight times All Australian, five best and fairests, critique him and critique him harshly if you need to, but keep it real."
Despite the recent criticisms, Ablett is still have a fantastic season according to statistics, as he leads the league in inside 50s (6.4), and is in the top five in the competition for disposals (31.6) and clearances (7.4).
The 33-year-old will sort his future out at the end of the season, although Evans confirmed he would do everything in his power to keep Ablett at the club.
"I'll fight to make sure that he wants to stay at the Gold Coast Suns because I can see a great opportunity for him and a great opportunity for us," Evans said.
