MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 24: Gary Ablett of the Cats gestures after kicking a goal during the round 17 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions at Skilled Stadium on July 24, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

The footy world was sent into a state of shock late last year, when it emerged Gold Coast star Gary Ablett had requested a trade back home to Geelong during October's trade period, only to have his request delcined by the Suns.

Speculation has mounted since that Ablett, who wanted to return home for personal reasons, would find a way to Geelong by next year.

Now it appears the wheels could already be in motion for the move south to Victoria, with Ablett and his wife Jordan's home on the Gold Coast on the market.

"Gary Ablett's house, he's been living for the last six years when he was Gold Coast Suns captain, is now on the market," AFL journalist Mitch Cleary revealed on 3AW radio.

"I think 2018, Round 1, Gary Ablett will be in the blue and white," Cleary added.

"He's already admitted to cats officials that he would be happy to take a pay cut...so I think this looms as a key pillar in what unfolds in the next eight to nine months."

Ablett played 192 games and kicked 262 goals for the Cats, including the 2007 and 2009 premierships, before joining the Suns in 2011, where he has played 96 games in six seasons.

He has won a Brownlow, two AFLPA MVPs, three Gold Coast best and fairest awards and four All-Australian Guernseys during his time at the Suns.