Gary Ablett Jnr on Open Mike

[manboob]

And as another poster here pointed out, this upset the team in that year, according to Selwood. The same team won without Ablett the following year, so who is to say?

In my head I just counted out, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and cried a little, then cried a lot.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

In my head I just counted out, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and cried a little, then cried a lot.

Yeah. lol

2008 especially. But 2010 was the one year we looked some kind of chance, but at the same time too often we couldn't get it together. And when we didn't get it right, we got buried.

 

[manboob]

Yeah. lol

2008 especially. But 2010 was the one year we looked some kind of chance, but at the same time too often we couldn't get it together. And when we didn't get it right, we got buried.

I'm just a greedy pig like that kid from Oliver.

 

[catman 71]

I wouldn't go that far. I wish him well as a person. But I don't want to see him back as a player. All through 2010 he played Geelong for a sucker. He made up his mind, and pretended it was a last minute thing and allowed everyone to surmise it was Bomber's fault - but Bomber was pissed off at Ablett because he thought he knew the truth of it. And as another poster here pointed out, this upset the team in that year, according to Selwood. The same team won without Ablett the following year, so who is to say?

Trust should be seen as such a valuable thing because once you break it, you never get it back. As a Geelong supporter I just don't share this feeling for him. Bartel is my favorite player. Can't understand a Geelong supporter having Gazza as their favorite player. You got 22+ to choose from. Pick one of ours.

Yeah, but is where I take issue. It is not that what you say about Ablett isn't right or valid, but I have never understood why, at the same time, Bomber is let off the hook for his similarly duplicitous behaviour.

You say that Bomber is upset that Ablett wasn't honest and left the team hanging. Well it seems that he was so upset that he took the philosophy of "If you can't beat them, join them". I mean Bomber faked "burnout" to be released from his contract, and then just happened to pop up at Essendon training-fancy that!

There are rumours that the reason we were getting flogged by Collingwood in the 2010 PF was that Bomber was on the phone, but not moving players to better positions, but rather talking to Essendon at the time, while Geelong were playing a final. Gary Ablett was our best player in that final, yet Bomber coached poorly, and if the rumour is to be believed, he was too busy working out an exit clause to coach that night.

The main reason I was so livid about Bomber is that, above everything else, he lied to Frank Costa's face. Now, Brian Cook, I could understand, because they had a tumulous relationship, but Costa hired Bomber Thompson and enticed him to coach the club. He pushed to keep Bomber in 2006, when others wanted him gone. He was someone Bomber couldn't have an issue with, yet he couldn't be honest with him. That is unforgivable for mine.

The fact is , both should be held to account for their actions, not just Ablett. Bomber disrupted 2010 as well, by engaging in a public battle with a player, by going on radio and singling him out, rather than keeping things in house, being professional, and focusing on the 37 players who wanted to be there, instead of putting him time bagging the one who didn't. Bomber preached loyalty, and then jumped ship just as much. At least Ablett saw out his contract, whereas Bomber broke his. Also, the current drug problems at Essendon, and his possible involvement in hiring Danks, shows what type of person he truly is. As for him winning us two flags, well, as shown in 2011, Geelong can win flags, no matter who coaches them, so Bomber's contribution is a tad overrated.

 

[catman 71]

I wouldn't go that far. I wish him well as a person. But I don't want to see him back as a player. All through 2010 he played Geelong for a sucker. He made up his mind, and pretended it was a last minute thing and allowed everyone to surmise it was Bomber's fault - but Bomber was pissed off at Ablett because he thought he knew the truth of it. And as another poster here pointed out, this upset the team in that year, according to Selwood. The same team won without Ablett the following year, so who is to say?

Trust should be seen as such a valuable thing because once you break it, you never get it back. As a Geelong supporter I just don't share this feeling for him. Bartel is my favorite player. Can't understand a Geelong supporter having Gazza as their favorite player. You got 22+ to choose from. Pick one of ours.

Would you want him back at Geelong one day in a coaching capacity, such as a midfield coach? I think he would be really good at training our young midfielders. There have been plenty of examples where players who leave a club to go to another, come back years later in a coaching capacity. I hear Doug Wade had some involvement at board level years after he left to play for North Melbourne.

Also, Ablett will be back for premiership reunions, and if he is ever put into the Geelong HoF. We can't ban him completely.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Yeah, but is where I take issue. It is not that what you say about Ablett isn't right or valid, but I have never understood why, at the same time, Bomber is let off the hook for his similarly duplicitous behaviour.


..............
The fact is , both should be held to account for their actions, not just Ablett. Bomber disrupted 2010 as well, by engaging in a public battle with a player, by going on radio and singling him out, rather than keeping things in house, being professional, and focusing on the 37 players who wanted to be there, instead of putting him time bagging the one who didn't. Bomber preached loyalty, and then jumped ship just as much. At least Ablett saw out his contract, whereas Bomber broke his. Also, the current drug problems at Essendon, and his possible involvement in hiring Danks, shows what type of person he truly is. As for him winning us two flags, well, as shown in 2011, Geelong can win flags, no matter who coaches them, so Bomber's contribution is a tad overrated.

I agree with you on Bomber. Except....I just feel differently about coaches and officials. I support the team, the players. Emotionally, as a supporter, it was Ablett that got to me. Also, Bomber can condemned for the way he conducted himself toward the end - and still be right about Ablett.

It's ancient history, and I wish both of them well. But I don't want Ablett back as a player. Back at the club. Great memories. But not as a player.

 

[footscore]

There are rumours that the reason we were getting flogged by Collingwood in the 2010 PF was that Bomber was on the phone, but not moving players to better positions, but rather talking to Essendon at the time, while Geelong were playing a final

 

[RegHickeyStand]

Would you want him back at Geelong one day in a coaching capacity, such as a midfield coach? I think he would be really good at training our young midfielders. There have been plenty of examples where players who leave a club to go to another, come back years later in a coaching capacity. I hear Doug Wade had some involvement at board level years after he left to play for North Melbourne.

Also, Ablett will be back for premiership reunions, and if he is ever put into the Geelong HoF. We can't ban him completely.

Yeah, that would be great. Back at the club after his career

Ban him? I think you misunderstand. Its good to see the friendship he has with the Geelong players. Bartel and Gazza always wear broad grins before they line up on each other. He should be welcomed back at the club as an ex premiership player at any time.

 

[catman 71]

I agree with you on Bomber. Except....I just feel differently about coaches and officials. I support the team, the players. Emotionally, as a supporter, it was Ablett that got to me. Also, Bomber can condemned for the way he conducted himself toward the end - and still be right about Ablett.

It's ancient history, and I wish both of them well. But I don't want Ablett back as a player. Back at the club. Great memories. But not as a player.

Bomber may have been right about Ablett, although it is not a case of right and wrong, but simply his opinion and moral judgement.

But Bomber was wrong to make the feud public. He did things to subtly belittle Ablett in the media, when he should have discussed it with him, behind closed doors. It made the club look bad, that the senior coach is bad-mouthing a player publicly.

In some ways, Bomber needed to be the bigger man, because he is responsible for every player at the club, not just Ablett. It wasn't his job to deal with contract negotiations of Ablett, or any other player. Balme or Cook could have dealt with that issue, and Bomber just focus on guiding the team, and taking us towards a premiership defence. A coach acting like this is worse than one player, because one player can be weeded out, but a coach has a wider influence on the whole team.

Bomber was chewed out for going past his responsibitlies in 2006, when there was a review. Thompson was told he was involved in too many areas of the club, so Neil Balme was brought in to do some of those jobs, and then Bomber focused solely on coaching in 2007....and you know how that went.

Apparently, even at Essendon, there are rumours that he is too involved, and doing jobs that are James Hird's responsibility. I hope he is not involved in contract negotiations there as well.

Bomber may have had a right to hold that opinion, but he was wrong to air his grievances to outside parties. It is unprofessional and petty, and someone who had been in football as long as Bomber knew that.

Also, at the time, many were right to assume that Bomber was speaking his opinion, based on his beliefs about loyalty. However, those beliefs ring hollow when he then jumps ship himself, and isn't honest about it. He talked the talk, but he didn't walk the walk.

So, either Bomber was wrong when he condemned Ablett for being disloyal, or he was wrong for demonstrating similar disloyalty. But he couldn't be considered to be right about both.

 

[Strangled Cat]

catman 71 I have to say that rumour sounds like totally unfounded bullshit to me. As if he'd be on the phone to Essendon whilst a Prelim final was being played out. He had all the time in the world to play disloyal dog, why would it have been right then and there? It just sounds totally absurd to say the least.

 

[Vdubs]

catman 71 I have to say that rumour sounds like totally unfounded bullshit to me. As if he'd be on the phone to Essendon whilst a Prelim final was being played out. He had all the time in the world to play disloyal dog, why would it have been right then and there? It just sounds totally absurd to say the least.

Not to mention talking on the phone with his mouth half full of sandwich is not on.

 

[JackFlash]

Is that 'no' to having him back. Or 'no' to a poll. Or both?

Think a poll might just reignite the fierce 'pro' and 'anti' forces here. That's probably been done to death.

My feeling about his return is if it's in the clubs best interests and on the clubs terms, then why not.

He will be remembered as a Gold Coast player more than a Geelong player IMO. He turns 29 this year with 2 more years to run on a 5 year deal after that. Cats fans are dreaming that he will return in 2016 when he turns 32! Ablett made his bed and now he has to lie in it, i think he sooked at being told off by the leadership group, i think he desperately wanted to be Captain but was denied and sooked again, then the unbelievable offer came along and he took it and ran. I can't blame him for going for the money, but that is the the number one reason he went and along with some ego denting home truths he made up his mind to stick it to Geelong.

 

[JackFlash]

I wouldn't go that far. I wish him well as a person. But I don't want to see him back as a player. All through 2010 he played Geelong for a sucker. He made up his mind, and pretended it was a last minute thing and allowed everyone to surmise it was Bomber's fault - but Bomber was pissed off at Ablett because he thought he knew the truth of it. And as another poster here pointed out, this upset the team in that year, according to Selwood. The same team won without Ablett the following year, so who is to say?

Trust should be seen as such a valuable thing because once you break it, you never get it back. As a Geelong supporter I just don't share this feeling for him. Bartel is my favorite player. Can't understand a Geelong supporter having Gazza as their favorite player. You got 22+ to choose from. Pick one of ours.

Correct, Ablett knew what he was doing as far back as December 2009 and i reckon Thompson got wind of it and confronted him about it. It appears Ablett has got all defensive with Thompson and like a couple of kids in the playground they decided to ignore eaach other. In the end Ablett took his bat and ball and went off to the Gold Coast. IMO Gary Ablett jr thought he was above the rest of the playing group and was unhappy at being told of any flaws in his game. 2011 proved him wrong, i reckon that result put a huge dent in the ego. He won't be back.

 

[catman 71]

catman 71 I have to say that rumour sounds like totally unfounded bullshit to me. As if he'd be on the phone to Essendon whilst a Prelim final was being played out. He had all the time in the world to play disloyal dog, why would it have been right then and there? It just sounds totally absurd to say the least.

Like I said, it was a rumour only. I didn't say it was true.

But Bomber would have been on the phone during the game. Coaches often are. But I didn't see any moves being made in that game. So, was Bomber on the phone, moving Geelong players, or talking to someone at Essendon. We'll never know.

I get the impression, though that his heart had already left Geelong, and he was already focused on being at Essendon at that stage. Whether he used the phone that night to call Essendon, no-one knows. But Bomber was caught using a mobile phone Geelong provided him with to call Essendon, and they have records to prove it. Which is why Costa confronted Bomber about it, and Bomber lied and said that he wasn't considering a job at Essendon.

 

[JackFlash]

Like I said, it was a rumour only. I didn't say it was true.

But Bomber would have been on the phone during the game. Coaches often are. But I didn't see any moves being made in that game. So, was Bomber on the phone, moving Geelong players, or talking to someone at Essendon. We'll never know.

I get the impression, though that his heart had already left Geelong, and he was already focused on being at Essendon at that stage. Whether he used the phone that night to call Essendon, no-one knows. But Bomber was caught using a mobile phone Geelong provided him with to call Essendon, and they have records to prove it. Which is why Costa confronted Bomber about it, and Bomber lied and said that he wasn't considering a job at Essendon.

There is no question Bomber Thompson betrayed Geelong, one of my theories with his dispute with Ablett is that if he knew he was going back to Essendon then Ablett leaving at the same time would severely affect the stability of the club. He was correct as Geelong's 2010 season was in fact derailed. I think he confronted Ablett jr during the year with his own agenda in the back of his mind, Ablett was throwing a huge spanner in the works. The Essendon deal was done and dusted by July 2010 and Thompson was very mindful that any Ablett move would put him in a very difficult position with a year to run on a contract. Thompson was proved correct on all fronts when he quit and returned to Essendon claiming 'burn out' Mark Thompson was not going into bat for the Geelong Football Club questioning Gary Ablett jr about contract renewal, he was looking for a smooth exit for himself and Ablett jr just threw him a curve ball. It ended up a huge mess, luckily the culture at this club and the firm commitment of it's players saw it win another flag without both of them.

 

[catman 71]

Correct, Ablett knew what he was doing as far back as December 2009 and i reckon Thompson got wind of it and confronted him about it. It appears Ablett has got all defensive with Thompson and like a couple of kids in the playground they decided to ignore eaach other. in the end Ablett took his bat and ball and went off to the Gold Coast. IMO Gary Ablett jr thought he was above the rest of the playing group and was unhappy at being told of any flaws in his game.

But, how do you know he knew in Dec 2009? Were you there, at meetings?

Oh, that's right, the media said so. So, if they say it, it must be true. It couldn't be that they simply speculated, and thought that writing that the biggest name in the game hadn't signed a new contract a year out, and there is a new team, then 2 + 2 =5.

Let's point the finger where it really belongs- at Demetriou. He wanted two new clubs, which weren't needed, and orchestrated the whole plan to extracate Ablett from Geelong. He got his media muppets to promote the fact (how Demetriou manipulates the football media, and gets them to do his bidding is for another discussion). Demetriou used the media to drive a wedge between Ablett and Geelong, and then allowed Gold Coast a salary cap no other club is allowed to have, to make an offer no-one could refuse. Demetriou also allowed "anti-poaching laws" to be lifted, so that GC could approach contracted players, which no other club was allowed to do.

Demetriou set out to marry Ablett to GC for his grand vision, and the media helped push it. So don't be so gullible to believe the media bs artists, who are pushing Andy D's propoganda (which would make Joseph Gobbells proud). No-one knows what happened, except what the media say, and can they be truly believed? I suppouse you believe Nigerian e-mails too.

 

[JackFlash]

But, how do you know he knew in Dec 2009? Were you there, at meetings?



Oh, that's right, the media said so. So, if they say it, it must be true. It couldn't be that they simply speculated, and thought that writing that the biggest name in the game hadn't signed a new contract a year out, and there is a new team, then 2 + 2 =5.



Let's point the finger where it really belongs- at Demetriou. He wanted two new clubs, which weren't needed, and orchestrated the whole plan to extracate Ablett from Geelong. He got his media muppets to promote the fact (how Demetriou manipulates the football media, and gets them to do his bidding is for another discussion). Demetriou used the media to drive a wedge between Ablett and Geelong, and then allowed Gold Coast a salary cap no other club is allowed to have, to make an offer no-one could refuse. Demetriou also allowed "anti-poaching laws" to be lifted, so that GC could approach contracted players, which no other club was allowed to do.



Demetriou set out to marry Ablett to GC for his grand vision, and the media helped push it. So don't be so gullible to believe the media bs artists, who are pushing Andy D's propoganda (which would make Joseph Gobbells proud). No-one knows what happened, except what the media say, and can they be truly believed? I suppouse you believe Nigerian e-mails too.

That's right don't believe the media they are useless. You know let's ban all reporting on Football altogether. It's such a cop out to blame the media for everything, it is well known that Ablett jr met with Gold Coast officials in December 2009, but let's blame the media for everything. Football fans use this excuse far to readily.

 

[jacross]

Bomber and Gaz spent more years at Geelong than I have ever spent as an employee. They gave service to the club that outweighs the remuneration they received. They did great things for the club. I simply see no reason to be embittered.

Gaz wanted to find a new challenge and get paid really well for it. Good for him, he gave the Cats a great deal.
Bomber was sick of the pressures of being a head coach, was burnt out, and went back to his home club Essendon and is thriving as an Assistant. Good for him, he gave the Cats a great deal.

They are heroes of the club. Anyone who is embittered is a child.

 

[catman 71]

Seeing Smedts and Caddy run around today against Hawthorn, and hearing Chris Scott speak on "Footy Classified" tonight, makes me realise that we gained a bit from the Ablett and Bomber defections, and the replacements aren't too bad.

Also, it hasn't stopped up winning premierships (like in 2011).

 

[FredLeDeux]

Bomber and Gaz spent more years at Geelong than I have ever spent as an employee. They gave service to the club that outweighs the remuneration they received. They did great things for the club. I simply see no reason to be embittered.

Gaz wanted to find a new challenge and get paid really well for it. Good for him, he gave the Cats a great deal.
Bomber was sick of the pressures of being a head coach, was burnt out, and went back to his home club Essendon and is thriving as an Assistant. Good for him, he gave the Cats a great deal.

They are heroes of the club. Anyone who is embittered is a child.

Does anyone see any irony in abusing GAJ for moving for his own purposes, but welcoming Josh Caddy with open arms?

 

[catman 71]

That's right don't believe the media they are useless. You know let's ban all reporting on Football altogether. It's such a cop out to blame the media for everything, it is well known that Ablett jr met with Gold Coast officials in December 2009, but let's blame the media for everything. Football fans use this excuse far to readily.

First of all, I would love to see less reporting of football. I am interested in what happens during the game, not what players get up to during the week. Do you know that there are as many footy journos as there are footballers?

The media have a job to do like anyone else. They want readers, listeners or talkback callers. These add to circulation and ratings, which equals money. So, if their story can be more interesting by leaving out details, but reading something into nothing, and build stories from gossip and speculation, then so be it. It has been shown that there are enough gullible losers in society who believe everything the footy media tell them.

Again, you say it is well-known about Ablett. Well, then, provide proof that Ablett has signed any contract between December 2009 and PF day 2010. If you can't, then you don't know. You just drank the media's kool-aid, and fell for their speculation hook, line and sinker.

I think that Ablett was undecided, and eventually left because of Bomber's bullying. Furthermore, if Bomber had declared his hand sooner, maybe Ablett may have stayed, maybe not. But things may have become so toxic, that it was a case of "him or me".

 

[Senatorguesty]

Does anyone see any irony in abusing GAJ for moving for his own purposes, but welcoming Josh Caddy with open arms?

Josh Caddy isnt the GREAT son of the Gold Coasts Greatest Ever player though.
Not saying anything about the debate, just pointing that out.

 

[catman 71]

Correct, Ablett knew what he was doing as far back as December 2009 and i reckon Thompson got wind of it and confronted him about it. It appears Ablett has got all defensive with Thompson and like a couple of kids in the playground they decided to ignore eaach other. In the end Ablett took his bat and ball and went off to the Gold Coast. IMO Gary Ablett jr thought he was above the rest of the playing group and was unhappy at being told of any flaws in his game. 2011 proved him wrong, i reckon that result put a huge dent in the ego. He won't be back.

But Ablett could accept being told about his flaws. His teammates told him that he needed to get fitter and train harder, so as to play in the midfield, in the famous meeting where Cats players challenged one another. Do you know how Ablett responded? He got fit and became a Brownlow-winning midfielder.

Maybe he just won't take criticism from bs artists like Bomber!

 

[randyzany]

Does anyone see any irony in abusing GAJ for moving for his own purposes, but welcoming Josh Caddy with open arms?

I don't recall Geelong paying Caddy 10 times (an absurd offensive notion) more per annum than any other player in the league and doing so by using funds (corrupt) that were not earnt solely by the Geelong Football Club.

That's the difference between someone like Simpkins, Caddy etc... and judas. They've all got contracts well within (hopefully) the agreed Total Player Payments cap, not to mention the contracts are reasonable when compared to player of similar ilk, and importantly the money used to paid that contract is revenue generated by the club itself.

People won't believe this but if I ever were in a similar position to gaj I'd tell that greasy fat pig dimwit to stick his ill gotten lucre up his bumhole. To accept an inflated contract of that size wa unethical and immoral IMHO. If he can't be set up for his life with the millions judas had already earnt at Geelong, than 10 million won't help much either other than squander it on cars, women and other nonsense idiots with too much money and not much sense waste it on.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Josh Caddy isnt the GREAT son of the Gold Coasts Greatest Ever player though.
Not saying anything about the debate, just pointing that out.

Yes, that goes a long way to explain why people were emotional about GAJ leaving.
On the other hand, the irony of the Caddy situation is added to by the fact that he not only left GCS, he chose Geelong over NM - where his grandfather and 2 uncles played.