I'm really surprised that everyone has been saying how 2005 was Gary Ablett's best year at the club. I think he really struggled at times during the year, but at other times he was magnificent!!
Of course this was because he was often tagged into oblivion. This is a credit to him because it is now widely recognised that he will carve up any team if he is given enough room. The coaches have reacted to this. Gary still hasn't really worked out how to beat the tag yet.
I think Gary's biggest weakness is that he doesn't have the fittness to run a tagger off his feet. Cousins developed it, so did Crawford. If Gary is to consistently play midfield (where he is most damaging) he really needs to work on this.
Of course this was because he was often tagged into oblivion. This is a credit to him because it is now widely recognised that he will carve up any team if he is given enough room. The coaches have reacted to this. Gary still hasn't really worked out how to beat the tag yet.
I think Gary's biggest weakness is that he doesn't have the fittness to run a tagger off his feet. Cousins developed it, so did Crawford. If Gary is to consistently play midfield (where he is most damaging) he really needs to work on this.