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The welcome mat has been thrown out for Andrew Raines at the Gold Coast Suns.
But Gary Ablett would be forgiven for not being so sociable to the ex-Brisbane Lion.
Raines played some of his best footy in the Queensland derbies against the Suns, tagging Ablett.
Now Raines has a chance to earn an AFL lifeline after the Suns confirmed they had invited him to train with them alongside his former foe ahead of the draft period.
Dual Brownlow Medallist Ablett has lifted the Suns squad after returning to training on Wednesday, five days earlier than expected following shoulder surgery.
And Raines will no doubt hope Ablett once again brings out the best in him when he attends Suns training on Monday after being delisted by the Lions in August.
“We’re looking forward to having Andrew train with us over the next three weeks leading into the draft period,” Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft told the Suns website.
Raines made no secret of the fact that he wanted to add to his tally of 123 AFL games with Brisbane and Richmond when he left the Lions.
And he appears a good fit for the Suns who do not have a designated tagger.
Raines, 28, played just four senior matches in 2014 and will be out to impress the Suns in the lead-up to the pre-season and rookie draft.
Ablett is already turning heads after his surprise return to training.
He has been restricted to light duties but the sight of him running around without a sling augers well for the captain.
Not due back until the full squad returned on Monday, Ablett had the first to four year players buzzing at training this week, according to new forwards coach Ashley Prescott.
“It’s great to have Gary back,” he told Suns TV.
“It’s amazing. The boys love to see him.
“There is a fair bit of work to do but at the moment we’ve got a fair bit of time.
“He’s certainly being aggressive with his rehabilitation and from all reports it’s coming along really well.”
Ablett is expected to resume contact work in the New Year.
Meanwhile, delisted Suns key defender Greg Broughton has also received an invitation to train from Monday.
But the club have already made it clear they are committed to re-drafting the ex-Docker.
Meanwhile, the Suns have finalised their staff for next season after signing Matthew Lappin as development coach.
Lappin – a three-time All-Australian who played 251 games for St Kilda and Carlton – will reunite with new Suns head coach Rodney Eade.
Lappin spent four years as forwards coach at Collingwood when Eade was football director.
He starts work on Monday.
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