Geelong premiership defender Harry Taylor would take a pay cut to keep Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett at the AFL club.

Speculation is rife about Ablett's future, with the midfielder coming out of contract at the end of this season and the Gold Coast expansion club determined to sign him.

Ablett is Gold Coast's top recruiting priority and there are reports they will pay him up to $1.5 million if he heads north.

Ablett had 37 disposals and was among the Cats' best in their Friday night win over Essendon at the MCG.

"From a personal point of view I'd love to play with him rather than against him, so I certainly would (take a pay cut), but I can't speak for the whole crew," Taylor told the BigPond Sports Weekend webcast.

"He just has this ability to turn it on whenever he wants.

"He's so hard to tackle and you see him take on three or four players and also kick two goals, which is important because not only can he get the ball but he can finish as well."

As Ablett's performance and Geelong's win suggests, the speculation about his future does not seem to be distracting anyone in the team.

"I don't think so at all," Taylor said.

"Gary (is) very level headed, he's very personal and keeps a lot of his private life personal, which is a great way to be.

"The players don't seem to worry about it at all.

"It's in the papers so often, we just worry about what we need to do, which is win games."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP