Gary Ablett has been removed from the Gold Coast leadership group.

Ablett was the inaugural captain of the Suns, but was replaced at the end of 2016 by co-captains Tom Lynch and Steven May.

Relations between Ablett and the club became strained over the off-season when it was revealed that the former Cat had requested a trade back to his old club, which the Suns denied.

Then, it emerged that Ablett is trying to sell his Gold Coast home.

Big moment in Gary Ablett’s looming return to Victoria over the weekend – his Gold Coast mansion being placed on the market – @cleary_mitch

? Sportsday (@SportsdayRadio) January 16, 2017

Ablett has played 96 games for the Suns since they joined the competition in 2011.

The Suns announced their full leadership group for 2017 on Tuesday morning, their first without Ablett.

The seven-man leadership comprises Lynch and May, as well as Michael Rischitelli, Matt Rosa, David Swallow, Michael Barlow, and Touk Miller.