Gary Ablett will make a decision on his future before the AFL Grand Final

GARY Ablett’s manager Liam Pickering says the superstar can extend his dazzling career by as many as four seasons, and Ablett will almost certainly take a pay cut if he joins Geelong.

Gary Ablett reacts during a Gold Coast Suns AFL training session at Metricon Stadium on August 15, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

GARY Ablett’s manager Liam Pickering says the superstar midfielder can extend his dazzling career by as many as four seasons.

And Pickering confirmed the dual Brownlow medallist would accept a certain pay cut if Ablett wanted to join Geelong’s premiership tilt, saying “financially it wouldn’t be an issue at all.”

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Ablett, 33, will meet with Pickering early next week, when they are expected to discuss a move to the Cattery after seven seasons at Gold Coast.

He is contracted to the Suns for one more season but Ablett has suggested he will retire from the game altogether if a deal can’t be struck.

The brilliant ballwinner is keen to move home to be closer to family in Victoria.

Pickering was tight-lipped on Ablett’s intentions but said the eight-time All-Australian was still a midfield weapon who had as many as 90 more AFL games in him.

“I would have thought he could play for another three or four years and I genuinely believe that,” Pickering said.

“He won a best and fairest this year on 13 or 14 games, and his games are unbelievable.

“He will poll 20 votes in the Brownlow, he had a terrific season.

Gary Ablett’s future will become clearer next week.

“He will eventually play more forward … but he is still a midfielder.”

The Suns have vowed to play hard ball in any trade deal with Geelong, prompting Cats coach Chris Scott to concede it was going to be difficult to satisfy the Suns in next month’s trade period.

Gold Coast will likely want a top-30 pick, quality player/s or some cash from Geelong to help cover some of the Suns’ million dollar a year investment in Ablett.

Pickering said if Ablett requests a trade, the franchise club could should be satisfied his client has made an enormous contribution.

“I don’t think he could have done much more,” Pickering said.

“He’s had some injuries in the past couple of years, but he’s won four best and fairests in seven years and is the only Brownlow Medallist in the club’s history, an All-Australian captain.

“You can go through the achievements, plus single handily he won a lot of games for the Gold Coast, so I think he held his end of the bargain up, for sure.”

Ablett asked for a trade last year but was knocked back.

Pickering said family would again be at the front of Ablett’s mind.

“Family is a factor, especially for Gary because he’s very close to his family,”

he said.

“He’s been away for the past seven years, that was something that weighed heavily last year and the reason he asked for a trade last year.

“He’s obviously married now, that will come into consideration for sure.”

Geelong has picks 20 and 33 in the 2017 national draft but is also keen on Western Bulldog Jake Stringer and Greater Western Sydney small forward Devon Smith.

The departure of free agents Daniel Menzel and Steve Motlop could secure the Cats second-round compensation draft picks to boost their efforts to land Ablett.

Pickering said he has had dealings with chief executive Mark Evans and list chief Scott Clayton rather than outspoken president Tony Cochrane.

Cochrane said this year the Suns would keep Ablett to his contract for 2018 unless Geelong could deliver a handsome trade return.