Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett's stunning request to be traded back to Geelong was a "good Samaritan" act, according to Suns chairman Tony Cochrane.
Fairfax Media revealed on Wednesday that on the eve of this month's trade period, the dual Brownlow medallist asked for a move back to his old club, where he played in two premiership sides, for family reasons.
On Thursday, Cochrane dismissed the report as a "beat-up", saying Ablett was trying to help Gold Coast ease their salary cap pressure and allow them to keep more players.
"The captain doesn't want out," he said on SEN. "I think what we're all suffering from a bit here is the captain Gary Ablett, who is a tremendous bloke, who has been a tremendous part of our football club now for a number of years, and it was his version of being a good Samaritan in a way in seeing what he could do to help out. It's unfortunate that it's blown up into the story it's blown up into. The story has no air whatsoever.
"My god, this is the greatest beat-up.
"If you guys want to get sucked into believing this is a real story, Usain Bolt called me last night, he wants to know if I can come to Tokyo and compete in the 100 metres finals.
"I said it's an outside chance because Gary's going to Geelong ... Now we believe what we read in the press?
"It's completely wrong. What actually took place was Gary, well before trade period, had a brief conversation with our head of football where he discussed, 'Look, if it helps to retain players, if you've got a salary cap issue or something, do you want me to consider going back to Geelong?'
"It was as simple as that. It was dismissed in the same width of time - no way in the world, Gary, you're absolutely wanted here, fantastic, that was the end of it.
"I don't know who's decided to build it up and make it bigger than Ben Hur, but Gary Ablett will be playing for the next two years at the Gold Coast Football Club - end of argument, full stop.
"You must be desperate for news in Melbourne."
Cochrane suggested there was a good chance Ablett would not captain the Suns next year, but insisted that possibility had nothing to do with the trade discussion.
"I'm not sure Gary wants to stay as captain," Cochrane said.
"You've got to see this as the whole overall picture – Gary's had a very frustrating few years with injury.
"So we were already well in discussions with Gary going back into this season where he was discussing, I know with Rocket (coach Rodney Eade) and Marcus Ashcroft, the football director, 'Do I carry on as captain? Because maybe what I need to do is free myself up so I can just get really fit and really concentrate on having an injury-free season'."
Cochrane said a decision on who would captain the Suns in 2017 would probably be made in January.
Fairfax Media has reported that Tom Lynch and Steven May were strong chances to succeed Ablett and share the role next year.
Ablett played 192 of his 288 games in nine seasons with the Cats before moving to the Suns at the end of 2010.
