Ablett has signed

[Metallica_Man]

http://gfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=307604

Our Twin Towers
9:38:19 AM Sat 25 November, 2006
Jay Clark
Geelong Advertiser
Nathan Ablett has agreed to a lucrative new contract with the Cats, quashing speculation he was preparing to head elsewhere.

The developing key forward, who only recently landed Liam Pickering as his new manager, will sign a contract next week after agreeing to terms with Cats officials on Thursday.

The new deal helps secure Geelong's immediate forward future on a day the Cats will also officially draft father-son man mountain Tom Hawkins.

Geelong chief executive Brian Cook yesterday downplayed Ablett's delay and said it was a particularly exciting development as the 20-year-old was the last of the senior listed players to officially commit for 2007.

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"The delay was caused mainly by Liam Pickering not being appointed until two weeks ago and negotiations normally last two months at least,'' Cook said.

"So we're very happy we've got Nathan on board, but we always expected that would be the case.

"He's yet to sign a contract but we've agreed to terms with his manager so that means all the players on our list are contracted for next year.''

Defenders Tim Callan and Sam Hunt have also inked new deals.

Cook said he could not divulge the specifics of Ablett's contract, believed to be worth in excess of $150,000 per season for at least two or three years.

"I can't go into it, just to say that he has signed up and all parties are happy,'' Cook said.

The youngest son of Geelong's greatest player showed enormous potential in the VFL late last year, signalling he is ready to cement a senior spot in 2007 after 11 senior games for 12 goals in his first two seasons.

Kevin Sheedy caused some concern in the Geelong camp this week when the Essendon coach said he would try and pursue the uncontracted Geelong goalkicker.

"I would think that we will probably have a chat to that young man,'' Sheedy said.

"He is a very good player. His grand final in the VFL was good. If he is thinking about leaving Geelong, we have to do the right thing by our supporters and find out.''

His new blue and white counterpart Tom Hawkins has already begun training with the Cats and is next season expected to have a formidable forward presence after dominating the national under-18 championships for Vic Metro.

"I don't really have the nerves of some other players at the moment, which is good,'' Hawkins, 18, said ahead of the national draft yesterday.

"I know where I'm going _ and it's been a good couple of weeks.

"I'm just happy to be going to Geelong, because it's the team that I grew up barracking for and it's just fantastic to be playing alongside some of the players that I've grown up watching and supporting.''

 

[CF]

thanks for posting that but it was never in doubt really

 

[Rosella]

I put the delay down to

- lack of a manager
- general Ablett genes - you get there eventually
- handled a bit more softly than Gaz

never thought it would be an issue - he wouldn't like another club and another club couldn't handle him.

 

[SirRooke]

If Geelong didn't sign him up there would have been a riot.

$150k per year for 3yrs is supposed to be big money??? I think after the performance last year Nathan Ablett and Hawkins are the only thing providing any hope of getting big membership numbers next year. On that alone Nathan is worth a lot more money.

They should have offered him at least $150k, $250k, $300k +$50k for the 3 yrs with the last 2 yrs more performance based.

I've no doubt he'll prove to be worth it. If he comes of age next year on that money i'll feel that we are cheating him!!

 

[Bakes]

If Geelong didn't sign him up there would have been a riot.

$150k per year for 3yrs is supposed to be big money??? I think after the performance last year Nathan Ablett and Hawkins are the only thing providing any hope of getting big membership numbers next year. On that alone Nathan is worth a lot more money.

They should have offered him at least $150k, $250k, $300k +$50k for the 3 yrs with the last 2 yrs more performance based.

I've no doubt he'll prove to be worth it. If he comes of age next year on that money i'll feel that we are cheating him!!

youve got to leave yourself somewhere to go though

 

[Turbocat]

Good. It would have been astounding to see him try to go elsewhere.
I have a question though. Did the GFC alter their offer after Sheedy start the windup in the press?

Oh by the way the boys where down at Queens Park this morn, doing a bit of a run. No suprise Ling , leading them out and guess who was at the back of the pack. This is the area Nathan needs to work on , increased his ability to contribute more often by increasing has capacity to get to more contests.

 

[jim boy]

I doubt that'll be an area where there will be great improvement. Alledgedly some study showed his dad had a very high proportion of fast-twitch to slow-twitch muscle fibre, meaning great in the sprint, poor in endurance. Everything we've seen so far in Nathan and even Gary, suggests that this trait is hereditary.

 

[Partridge]

I doubt that'll be an area where there will be great improvement. Alledgedly some study showed his dad had a very high proportion of fast-twitch to slow-twitch muscle fibre, meaning great in the sprint, poor in endurance. Everything we've seen so far in Nathan and even Gary, suggests that this trait is hereditary.

Yeah, but I think that's a copout. If your endurance isn't up to scratch, you get out on the track until it improves. As much as I bag Cameron Ling, it's no coincidence he's got the best endurance at Geelong. He works harder at it than anyone else, and he's prepared to get the miles into his legs to get there. That's the kind of dedication every footballer should have.

 

[cats2rise]

Yeah, but I think that's a copout. If your endurance isn't up to scratch, you get out on the track until it improves. As much as I bag Cameron Ling, it's no coincidence he's got the best endurance at Geelong. He works harder at it than anyone else, and he's prepared to get the miles into his legs to get there. That's the kind of dedication every footballer should have.

Very good post. Ling does put in a hell of alot, and it is great dedication and great to see.

 

[Asty]

youve got to leave yourself somewhere to go though

I agree with the amount of senior footy he has played 150k is probably a very good deal. They can always renegotiate if he has a big year.