THE AFL has recalled the team that helped hatch the Gold Coast compensatory rules, raising Geelong's hopes of getting a fair deal for Gary Ablett if he walks to the new club.
After spending 18 months reviewing models to appease clubs, the influential seven-member sub-committee thought its job was done when Gold Coast's entry rules were announced in May.
Now, the key football club staff have been summoned back to the AFL and are poised to re-convene within a fortnight.
Significant change is a possibility after complaints from clubs.
Geelong was last night buoyed by the development, with Cats chief executive Brian Cook declaring: "It's promising for everyone. There's some flexibility there, it would seem."
The Cats have led the way on the issue, describing the compensation formula for a marquee player of Ablett's status as a "joke".
Geelong wants two first-round picks for Ablett if he leaves.
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