Ablett signs on

[Gazza_29]

Ablett has signed on for another two years! Personally I think it is great news.

The article on the geelong website below:

Ablett on board until 2006
5:14:46 PM Thu 19 February, 2004
Samantha Lane
afl.com.au
Geelong has re-signed prodigious talent Gary Ablett jnr. until the end of 2006.

The 19 year-old played all 22 matches for the Cats in just his second season last year, and finished fourth in the club’s best and fairest award.


With a games tally of just 34, the son of one of Geelong’s most famous players has already become an important part of the team’s line-up after some outstanding performances in the midfield and in attack.

"It's great to have signed a new contract and be able to concentrate on playing good footy," Ablett said.

"I obviously grew up supporting the club and they have treated me very well since I first came through the doors. I think we are in for some exciting times and it will be great to be part of that."

Ablett’s signature is the latest of plentiful re-signings at Geelong. Matthew Scarlett, Tom Harley, James Kelly, James Bartel, Joel Corey, Peter Riccardi, Jarad Rooke, James Rahilly, Paul Chapman, Corey Enright and Cameron Ling have all agreed to new deals in the past eight months.

Drafted in the 2001 national draft under the father-son rule, Ablett made his début in round one of the 2002 season.

"He is a key part of what we have been building and the resigning of Gary along with the recent signings of the likes Scarlett and Harley is an indication of the environment we are building here," Cats football manager Garry Davidson said.

A groin injury will keep Ablett out of Saturday’s Wizard Home Loans Cup match against Port Adelaide.

 

[catattack]

Great news!

It was hardly in doubt, but still always good to hear that news. The pedigree is obviously worth a truckload, and why wouldn’t you fork out that amount for someone of Ablett’s calibre.

 

[Mr X]

"pedigree" means nothing anymore, nor did it ever.

The guy has got a contract extension on his own performances and talent.

In case I am mistaken, I have seen nothing amount the financial terms of the new agrerement.

 

[Sammy D]

Originally posted by Mr X
"pedigree" means nothing anymore, nor did it ever.

Agreed

Originally posted by Mr X
The guy has got a contract extension on his own performances and talent.

Agreed

Originally posted by Mr X
In case I am mistaken, I have seen nothing amount the financial terms of the new agrerement.

Yeah, where'd you pull that from? Are you just assuming he's on big money?

 

[catattack]

When I meant pedigree, I was referring to the uncanny resemblance between the two Garys. I am currently reading the Playing God - The Rise and Fall of Gary Ablett book, and was surprised with the similarities between the two at a similar age.

The pedigree is there, but I didn't mean we were paying for the "Gary Ablett" name, nor hoping that one day he would just emulate his father; we’re paying for the abilities that this young bloke has and will have for many years. I agree, he has warranted his extension beyond belief.

And with the figure of the contract, I don't have any idea about what it is, so I guess it was really an off the cuff remark, suspecting it would be a good figure more than anything.