The move comes after Ablett recently sought a trade back to his former club Geelong for family reasons which was denied by the Suns.

He is contracted to the club until the end of 2018 and was the Suns' inaugural captain. 

Ablett said he felt the club now had an array of troops who could lead the club.  

“When I got injured last season, we handed the role over to Tom Lynch and Steven May and both guys, with the help of their teammates, did an outstanding job,” he said.

“It became obvious to me then that we now have the calibre of leaders that are capable of leading the footy club into our next phase.

“This will allow me to concentrate on my return from injury as the last few years have been frustrating having not been able to get out there and do what I love doing.”

Gold Coast Suns coach Rodney Eade said a new captain would be announced soon.

"As a club we have had some time to think through the process and we will be in a positon to appoint a captain in the coming weeks."