Gary Ablett Jnr

[davey_magik]

I know I'm not well liked on this board, but credit is due to this man. Clearly playing injured and lifted the side like no other player in the team could. If he is fully fit next year he should be played in the middle every game, as he is excellent in close with his hands and lightning reflexes.
Nathan wasn't too bad either . Just needs to put on weight and not be so unselfish in front of goal.

 

[Glassjaw]

Nathan wasn't too bad either . Just needs to put on weight and not be so unselfish in front of goal.

Nathan could be a star. If only he'd get interested. Doesn't seem too fussed when he's out on the field.

He did seem a lot more into it yesterday though.

 

[brett_go_cats]

I know I'm not well liked on this board, but credit is due to this man. Clearly playing injured and lifted the side like no other player in the team could. If he is fully fit next year he should be played in the middle every game, as he is excellent in close with his hands and lightning reflexes.
Nathan wasn't too bad either . Just needs to put on weight and not be so unselfish in front of goal.

thanks, ablett has been injured for half the season i reckon, and still been one of our best

 

[chapmanmagic35]

Nathan will be a gun - our best CHF/FF easily.

 

[Belly]

thanks, ablett has been injured for half the season i reckon, and still been one of our best

You're half right, he's actually been injured all season.

 

[martyk]

Nathan could be a star. If only he'd get interested. Doesn't seem too fussed when he's out on the field.

He did seem a lot more into it yesterday though.

I don't believe he will ever be a star... Any sport at the elite level requires you to put in 100% to be anything but average.. these days talent alone isn't good enough. Nathan is obviously not as fit or strong as other players his height / position, and you have to question the fact that he never wanted to play AFL anyway??? He basically got pushed..

There are hundreds of young players who would give anthing for the opportunity to play AFL... It's not necessarily his fault, but I don't think the guy genuinely wants to be there, and I think it will show in his fitness level / physique in years to come.

However, I would much rather see him in the team than Kingsley, McArthy or Playfair..
In what other team in history have 2 of the biggest guys in the team (Kingsley, Playfair) been by far the worst overhead marking players??? Please get rid of the 3 above!!! PLEASE!!

 

[brett_go_cats]

Nathan will be a gun - our best CHF/FF easily.

HF: chapman hawkins g ablett
F: ottens n ablett mooney

 

[chapmanmagic35]

I don't believe he will ever be a star... Any sport at the elite level requires you to put in 100% to be anything but average.. these days talent alone isn't good enough. Nathan is obviously not as fit or strong as other players his height / position, and you have to question the fact that he never wanted to play AFL anyway??? He basically got pushed..

There are hundreds of young players who would give anthing for the opportunity to play AFL... It's not necessarily his fault, but I don't think the guy genuinely wants to be there, and I think it will show in his fitness level / physique in years to come.

However, I would much rather see him in the team than Kingsley, McArthy or Playfair..
In what other team in history have 2 of the biggest guys in the team (Kingsley, Playfair) been by far the worst overhead marking players??? Please get rid of the 3 above!!! PLEASE!!

Just because he is quiet and doesn't appear to get over-excited (and for that matter, not being phased by adverse situations), it does not mean he is not interested.

 

[Renegade]

HF: chapman hawkins g ablett
F: ottens n ablett mooney

Coach: Mark Thompson
You see where the problem lies?

 

[A flag or 2 B4 I die]

I don't believe he will ever be a star... Any sport at the elite level requires you to put in 100% to be anything but average..

I disagee quite strongly with that-I think he will be a star.

One thing you notice with Nathan when he is warming up is that he kicks for goal alternatively with his left and right foot. I haven't noticed that many other players doing that.

His first goal on Saturday was with his left foot.

His efforts in the 3rd quarter were pretty good for someone playing his 10th game.

 

[thegerman]

His efforts in the 3rd quarter were pretty good for someone playing his 10th game.

True, it was only his 10th game, and I'm not one to get excited like some others, but he did some deft touches/posessions that were just uncanny. He will be a good player for the Cats, there is no doubt.

His skill level will rise the day we get rid of Hinkley as the forward line coach. How can we have two young future forward stars in Nath and Hawkins being taught by this guy ??

 

[shahla_selena]

gaz is a little legend, he's gonna be a fantastic leader one day for us. and nath is showing a lot, i think he's lacking confidence but he's still going to be a very valuable player.

 

[martyk]

Just because he is quiet and doesn't appear to get over-excited (and for that matter, not being phased by adverse situations), it does not mean he is not interested.

You are putting words into my post... hmm or at least trying. To make it easier for you to understand, try comparing Nathan to Gary Jnr. Gary clearly always wanted to play at the elite level, and the mental drive he has for that ultimate goal has meant he has became a star of the game. He runs to till exhausted, puts his head over the ball, lots of hard gets etc, etc.

Yes Nathan could be a star, and I hope that he will be.... I'm just of the opinion that he won't, and getting over-excited blah blah, is just rubbish. You can't force someone to be ultimately successful at anything... and we all know that if Nathan wasn't pushed, he wouldn't be playing. I'm being realistic, your all being hopefull.

 

[Partridge]

Just because he is quiet and doesn't appear to get over-excited (and for that matter, not being phased by adverse situations), it does not mean he is not interested.

Well put CM. Strangely enough, I remember Geelong used to have a forward with exactly the same onfield demeanour - no fuss, no noise, no carrying on - who was pretty useful. Kicked over 1000 goals. Same surname too.

You can never win with some guys. If you carry on like Akermanis you've got a big head and if you're quiet and efficient (Darren Milburn) you're not interested.

All I know is his brother said he was enjoying himself and looking to improve for Geelong. That's good enough for me.

 

[2691andrew]

and nath is showing a lot, i think he's lacking confidence but he's still going to be a very valuable player.[/quote]

Don't forget that Nathan played last year at Modewarre. That's about teh equivalent of metropolitan seconds footy I reckon. Most kids come through the draft selection process via TAC or U 19's. He is a year or two behind but I reckon he can play. Needs to beef up, get hungry and get a new coach.

 

[SJ]

I know I'm not well liked on this board, but credit is due to this man. Clearly playing injured and lifted the side like no other player in the team could. If he is fully fit next year he should be played in the middle every game, as he is excellent in close with his hands and lightning reflexes.
Nathan wasn't too bad either . Just needs to put on weight and not be so unselfish in front of goal.

Haha glad you like watching him.

My favourite player from another team is Davey, so a bit of symmetry there.

 

[Turbocat]

I don't believe he will ever be a star... Any sport at the elite level requires you to put in 100% to be anything but average.. these days talent alone isn't good enough. Nathan is obviously not as fit or strong as other players his height / position, and you have to question the fact that he never wanted to play AFL anyway??? He basically got pushed..

There are hundreds of young players who would give anthing for the opportunity to play AFL... It's not necessarily his fault, but I don't think the guy genuinely wants to be there, and I think it will show in his fitness level / physique in years to come.

However, I would much rather see him in the team than Kingsley, McArthy or Playfair..
In what other team in history have 2 of the biggest guys in the team (Kingsley, Playfair) been by far the worst overhead marking players??? Please get rid of the 3 above!!! PLEASE!!

Martyk some of what you say is fair enough , just a couple of points of my own.

Please remember Nathan genetic heritage. His dad didnt even start playing serious footy untill he was 22. Just like the Tucks they mature well these Abletts , Gary29 to have played so many games so early has been a huge bonus. Nathan will take more time than him yet compare Nathan to a couple of other players tha have been on our list longer.Has Charlie ever picked up the ball , dodged ,feed a handpass set up a goal or even just run on to his left foot and finish like he did. Im still waiting for Charlie to kick 4 in a game. The more Nathan plays , the more he will feel comfortable in the side, and dont confuse his personality with not wnating to play.Just because Borg acted different to McEnroe did that mean he wasnt interested in playing?He has a different character than Gary yet when he gets stronger he will be harder to stop , a bit like Dunstall.

Star , who knows. Id be happy just to see him continue to grow and develop as a player, sit back and enjoy the ride because in sea of flake he is the Whiting , in a plethera of big Mac's he is the Eye fillet . If he stays on track hewill be worth my admission cost to see him and Hawkins team up and rip sides apart because they play football the way I like to see it played.

 

[ablettthegun]

gaz is a little legend, he's gonna be a fantastic leader one day for us. and nath is showing a lot, i think he's lacking confidence but he's still going to be a very valuable player.

Nath showed plenty. The delivery to the foward line was an utter disgrace. Good point about his standard of footy that he had been exposed to in the past. The TAC is basically mini AFL as the player group focus on getting drafted. He was just having a kick with his mates. The ablility to kick well on both sides is something he has got from his old man.
The amazing thing is that Dustin Fletcher after he carved Nathan up in the Ess game commented to Barnes that he reads the play and works really hard. Now that gives me more hope than anything ive read on a blog