Gold Coast are interested in Geelong’s Steven Motlop but not as part of a trade for Gary Ablett.

Motlop is out of contract and a restricted free agent which means the Suns do not have to offer the Cats anything in return if he chooses to head to the Gold Coast.

The speedy forward visited the Suns’ Metricon Stadium base on Tuesday.

The Suns say the visit was initiated by Motlop and is not related to any deal for Ablett.

Gold Coast will continue to play hardball in dealings with Geelong.

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The Suns were prepared to add Aaron Hall to the Ablett deal in exchange for Mitch Duncan and a draft pick but the Cats are so far refusing to budge.

Hall is under contract but the Suns are open to trading him independent of the Ablett deal.

Play Video The former champion ruckman has met Geelong to discuss an assistant coaching role The West Australian Video The former champion ruckman has met Geelong to discuss an assistant coaching role

Motlop was accompanied by manager Alex McDonald and Suns list manager Scott Clayton on a two-hour tour of the facility on Tuesday.

He also met with CEO Mark Evans.

The 26-year-old is close friends with Suns’ captain Steven May.

There is also reported interest from West Coast and both South Australian clubs.

Motlop is due to meet both the Crows and Port Adelaide later this week.

The Suns were unable to tell Motlop on Tuesday who would be coaching the club next year.

However Evans said he expected to be able to make the announcement on Thursday.

Two of the final three candidates, Stuart Dew, John Barker and Scott Burns have been interviewed a second time. The remaining candidate will interview on Wednesday.

It is understood the Suns have not made contact with Richmond assistant coach Blake Caracella.

The panel — which included ex-Crows coach Neil Craig, Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft and former Bulldogs CEO Simon Garlic — that conducted the first round of interviews has now been disbanded.

Play Video The Adelaide defender has requested a trade to the Melbourne Demons The West Australian Video The Adelaide defender has requested a trade to the Melbourne Demons

Evans, Gold Coast chairman Tony Cochrane and football director Paul Scurrah are handling the second round interviews.

The trio will make the final decision.

It is understood Cochrane is leaning towards Barker. He was a close second to Chris Fagan in Brisbane’s coach-hunt last year and has received a glowing endorsement from the Lions for the strength of his application

Burns, 42, came late to the process after being encouraged to apply by the Suns.

Dew was in serious consideration for the Essendon job won by John Worsfold and was beaten by Don Pyke for the Adelaide position.

- The Courier Mail