Reluctant AFL footballer Nathan Ablett is set to return to football as a Cat next year, but not with Geelong.

The 22-year-old, who turned his back on a promising AFL career in 2007, has signed a one-year deal with Queensland state league club the Broadbeach Cats, based on the Gold Coast.

Broadbeach club development manager Bob Walters confirmed the coup, saying Ablett would pull on the boots for the Cats when the pre-season gets underway in March.

He said it was Ablett, who now lives on the Gold Coast, who had initiated negotiations about a month ago.

"I knew he was around, but when I got the call at first I was taken by surprise," Walters said.

"It's just come out of the blue."

Ablett, the youngest son of AFL legend Gary Ablett Snr, walked out on Geelong just weeks after starring in their 2007 grand final victory over Port Adelaide.

Citing a lack of motivation, Ablett spurned all of Geelong's efforts to keep him at the club, where his brother Gary Ablett Jnr continues to thrive and is touted as a future captain.

Ablett was only officially delisted by the club last month despite not having played a game for the whole of the 2008 season, and told his teammates he was thinking of moving to Queensland to become a builder.

Walters said he suspected Ablett simply missed football.

"He was actually just having a kick on the Broadbeach footy ground about five weeks ago," Walters said.

"I think he just wants to have a kick again."

Ablett was also courted by AFLQ powerhouse the Southport Sharks but Walters said Ablett wanted a more low-key team.

Throughout his 32-game AFL career, Ablett disliked the media attention he received as the son of one of the game's greatest ever players.

"He just wants to slot in and be one of the boys," said Walters.

"He's looking for somewhere local ... with less pressure.

"I think he'll be fine with us, we're a community club, I think he'll find it OK."

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