SOMETHING in Nathan Ablett's body language changed. He seemed happier, more relaxed.
Comfortable in a footy environment, according to Broadbeach president Paul Rolfe.
In the QAFL and VFL, injuries and particularly a nasty shin problem made this year something of a nightmare for Ablett.
He was unable to build any momentum and confidence had waned.
But as speculation increased that his brother, Gary, was to join Gold Coast, something clicked with Nathan, Rolfe said.
"The last seven months there was a change in him and maybe that was because he knew Gary was coming up," he said.
"He probably knew more about it and never really let on, but they are pretty close those two (Gary says they speak every day).
"Maybe then Nathan thought, 'hang on, I have another chance to have another crack'.
"With his brother there egging him on, there will definitely be a lot of motivation to make it work.
"It will be interesting to see how it goes. From what I saw, especially in a game against Mt Gravatt late in the year, he is certainly capable."
In that particular contest, Nathan, 25 tomorrow, had "roughly 30 touches" and "dominated the game" playing key forward and ruck.
"His confidence was probably down (last season) but it was back to the good old days when he was taking those big marks at Geelong," Rolfe said.
Not that anyone ever doubted Nathan's talent.
The 195cm, dual-sided key forward has always had heaps of natural ability.
In 32 games for the Cats, he kicked 46 goals, including a bag of four and a breathtaking pack mark in only his second outing.
But his style was unassuming, and always unselfish, as if football never meant that much to him.
There were queries about his desire from the moment he was coerced to the club, and to nobody's great surprise, the reluctant forward walked out on the Cats soon after winning the 2007 premiership.
He cited a lack of footballing passion and wanted to be a builder, away from it all, somewhere up north.
At Geelong, his departure was a bit of a sore point, but his reclusive ways were always something of a mystery.
"He's a great kid," Rolfe said of the player who will wear No.55 on his Suns jumper (Gary is No.9).
"But when he first arrived it was clear he likes doing things by himself. But over time he came out of his shell and, yeah, he's a bit of a character.
"Once you get to know him you realise he is a bit of a joker."
While question marks remain about his application, all the indicators from a Gold Coast perspective suggest there has been a turnaround of sorts.
The club listed him in the pre-season draft, going on a gut feel and hopes it will work out more than anything else.
Happily living with Gary and contracted to Gold Coast for at least a season, it seems, Nathan's head is now clear.
In a rare interview this week, he gave the impression footy means more to him now.
"It's really exciting and definitely nice to now know I'm going to be here next year, especially at a new club," Nathan said.
"I'm definitely feeling fitter, I've lost a couple of kilos.
"From here I've just got to look after the body and do all the right things to keep myself right and hopefully I'll be able to play some good football."
Gold Coast assistant coach Ken Hinkley, one of Nathan and Gary's closest mentors at Geelong, might be the secret to any of their successes at the Queensland club.
Hinkley has a trained eye and, encouragingly, he likes what he has seen from Nathan over the summer, specifically, his work ethic and determination.
"He has made a really good start to the pre-season but there is still a lot of work to do," he said.
"Certainly the signs are positive at this stage."
As one QAFL source put it, Nathan has shown some mental toughness to persist with Gold Coast over the past season.
"In all truth, he really struggled last year," the official said.
"But it's like he's come alive again. He's in the right environment to succeed now and all credit to him for hanging in there."
What won't hurt Nathan early in the piece is having Gary, the No.1 player in the AFL, put spearing passes on his chest at every opportunity.
A bit of brotherly love is inevitable.
But the game has changed since Nathan last played.
His defensive hustle was never a strong point and forward-line pressure has become a non-negotiable requirement.
Again, it will depend on if he is interested. If he is committed.
Regardless, on paper, Gold Coast looks a key forward or two short, making the lead-up target a potentially valuable acquisition.
For the Suns, Gary's signature was a coup of the highest order, a triumph that has already paid rich dividends.
Perhaps the greater Ablett challenge lay ahead
Last Modified on 12/12/2010 11:19