Experienced midfielders Luke Ablett and Daniel Harris are expected to feature among Gold Coast's recruits when they make their first draft selections.

Under the expansion club's concessions, they have the first five picks in the rookie draft on Tuesday ahead of their 2011 debut.

Ablett, a Sydney premiership player, and Harris, from North Melbourne, are set to go to the league's newest club as mature-age rookies.

Gold Coast have already recruited Ablett's cousin Nathan, while Nathan's older brother Gary is their No.1 recruiting target.

Gary comes out of contract at the end of next year and it was revealed last week that Gold Coast have met with the Brownlow Medallist and his manager.

But former Adelaide tagger Robert Shirley is suddenly no longer in the mix.

Shirley withdrew his rookie and pre-season draft nominations late on Monday after speculation that the Gold Coast would also take him.

It is understood the 29-year-old will instead join local Canberra side Ainslie, with Shirley moving to the ACT to develop a career in the building industry.

The rookie draft will feature 78 selections and will be run immediately after Tuesday morning's seven pre-season selections.

Melbourne will take former Brisbane Lion Joel Macdonald with the first pick and Richmond are likely to go with Dylan Grimes, the brother of Melbourne's Jack, with the second pick.

Fremantle are committed to recruiting Adam McPhee with the third pick and Sydney will take former Lions key forward Daniel Bradshaw at No.4.

Former Collingwood and Carlton ruck-forward Cameron Cloke is linked to Port Adelaide, who have the sixth selection.

West Coast (No.5) and Essendon (seven) have the other pre-season picks.

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