Lynch backs Ablett to see out Suns deal

Gold Coast captain-in-waiting Tom Lynch says Geelong should stop dreaming about bringing back Gary Ablett.

Ablett’s future has been a point of speculation since he re-injured his left shoulder two weeks ago, with Geelong coach Chris Scott still hoping the dual Brownlow medallist might return to the Cats.

“I’m probably like most Geelong supporters on this one. I’ve always held on to the pipe dream that he might come back one day,” Scott told Footy Classified on Monday night.

Lynch, expected to succeed Ablett as the Suns full-time skipper next season, is adamant the two-time Geelong premiership player is staying put on the Gold Coast.

“Gaz isn’t going anywhere. I’m very confident he’ll be here next year,” Lynch told reporters on Tuesday.

Former North Melbourne star David King has led calls for the Suns to consider trading Ablett to clear room so they can fit off-contract stars Dion Prestia and Jaeger O’Meara into the salary cap.

Ablett, 32, is contracted to Gold Coast to the end of 2017 and is in Melbourne seeking different medical opinions on his troublesome shoulder ahead of another round of surgery.

He won’t play again this year but is not expected to have any lingering effects from the injury by the time pre-season rolls around.

The Suns lost Ablett, Prestia and Michael Rischitelli to serious injuries in their win over Brisbane but were they were blown away by the Western Bulldogs on Saturday in the midfield trio’s absence.

Lynch believes it will only take a few tweaks for Gold Coast to return to winning form when they host Fremantle at Metricon Stadium this weekend.

“They’ll be tough. We have full faith in the midfield and the guys we pick on the weekend,” he said.

“We’ve tidied up a few things and we’re fully confident if we come out with the right intensity and effort, we’ll get the four points.”

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