Gold Coast chairman Tony Cochrane has told Gary Ablett he will under no circumstances be allowed to leave the club before his contract expires.

Speaking to Channel Nine on Thursday night, Cochrane said he had categorically told Ablett he will have to see out his contract until the end of the 2018 season.

"He's a required player here and he's very much part of the fabric of this club," Cochrane said.

"Gary's the real deal.

"I'm of the belief that he'll want to be playing in '18 here because of our results in '17.

"Gary Ablett is a required player at the Gold Coast Suns, full stop."

Asked if he was there was no circumstance in which he would allow Ablett to leave, Cochrane said: "Correct."

Ablett is certain to again ask the Suns for a trade back to Geelong at the end of this season, citing family reasons.

Ablett sent shockwaves through the footy world when it was revealed he requested a trade back to the Cats at the end of 2016, which was shot down immediately by the Suns.

The dual Brownlow Medallist placed his Gold Coast home on the market earlier this year.

Ablett signed a three-year contract extension with the Suns in 2015, keeping him at the club until the end of 2018.

Despite a torrid three-year run with shoulder and knee injuries, Ablett remains one of the game's most revered players.

He played his first game without the captaincy in Thursday night's JLT Community Series loss to the Western Bulldogs, in which he gathered 22 touches and kicked two goals.