Opinion Gary Ablett Senior

[chapmanmagic35]

In his last season, 1995 he kicked 118gls to win the Coleman Medal for the third straight year.In 1994 he only kicked 113gls, that doesn't seem fair.
Is that what you mean by cynical? If so I'm guilty

1996 was his last 'senior season'. Kicked 61 goals - missed about five games through elbowing Kristian Bardsley of St Kilda.

1997 - kicked seven against Richmond in the ressies, hurt his knee and never returned.

 

[Big Nasty]

I think it can be debated whether Ablett snr was the best ever. Definately in the top 5, Judd will overtake him. I actually think his one down side was that to often his amazing feats often didn't lift the team to wins (89 granny, 14 against essendon etc etc).

Abletts value was similar to Don Bradman in the thirties. If you were unlucky enough to come of age in the late eighties and early nineties in Geelong you'd remember things like recessions, pyramid and 30% youth unemployment. You were well aware that you came from one of the shittest towns in Australia.

But we had Ablett and going through the turnstyles, standing in the mud and watching him blast goals from anywhere, smash packs and do something every week you'd never seen before made you feel you were a little blessed and there's not many better feelings than that.

It might not seem like very long ago, but Geelong is a much much richer town now and so is the rest of oz. People like Judd and Goodes and Voss won't live as large in people's hearts because footy just doesn't matter as much and style of play these days is just insipid. I don't think many will remember this period as a great time for footy and some of the current legends will be a little tarnished by it.

Judd will not take over from him. And he is definetly in the top 2 greatest ever.

 

[Bakes]

a little piece of me died in 1997........

 

[Geminicatz]

What is amazing too is that he played mainly on the wing & half forward for years & only went to FF near the end of his career & still managed over 1000 goals.
Yep going to the footy hasn't been the same since he retired he was an absolutely freak.

 

[BigBadCam]

a little piece of me died in 1997........

It's like the reality check when you're out on the gear and 1 second your as high as a kite, in complete bliss... then the next second it's all over, and you're thinking ****... it's all over, but that was good.

 

[winty]

Saw GA Snr play a game against West Coast at subiaco one day in the 90's. We all know of the goal kicking feats but this day he gathered 30+ possessions from CHB and absolutely smashed the weeagles. Took it to another level. Anyone remember that?

That was his 150th game too IIRC. Awesome game by Gazza.

I remember one game against St.Kilda at Kardinia Park in 1994 when we were trailling going into the last quarter and Gazza kicked 5 or 6 in the last quarter and almost single handedly won the game for us.

Abletts value was similar to Don Bradman in the thirties. If you were unlucky enough to come of age in the late eighties and early nineties in Geelong you'd remember things like recessions, pyramid and 30% youth unemployment. You were well aware that you came from one of the shittest towns in Australia.

But we had Ablett and going through the turnstyles, standing in the mud and watching him blast goals from anywhere, smash packs and do something every week you'd never seen before made you feel you were a little blessed and there's not many better feelings than that.

I remember the bumper stickers doing the rounds back then which said "Bugger Ford. Bugger Pyramid. Save Ablett, Save Geelong" I'll never forget his first game back in the seniors after his retirement in 1991, and someone had a huge sign in the crowd with the number 5 written like the "S" on Superman's cape.

I'd really love it if someone released a highlights package of his career. The freakish goals, the huge marks, the big bumps. It would be awesome.

 

[MmkMrMackie]

That was his 150th game too IIRC. Awesome game by Gazza.

I remember one game against St.Kilda at Kardinia Park in 1994 when we were trailling going into the last quarter and Gazza kicked 5 or 6 in the last quarter and almost single handedly won the game for us.



I remember the bumper stickers doing the rounds back then which said "Bugger Ford. Bugger Pyramid. Save Ablett, Save Geelong" I'll never forget his first game back in the seniors after his retirement in 1991, and someone had a huge sign in the crowd with the number 5 written like the "S" on Superman's cape.

I'd really love it if someone released a highlights package of his career. The freakish goals, the huge marks, the big bumps. It would be awesome.

You've seen the early years one haven't you? Few hrs of footage.

 

[NimChief]

He was no Carey.

 

[Geminicatz]

Who remembers the time when Malcolm Blight decided to play him at CHB during the Ansett Cup Night series. He was marking all over Stewart Loewe from St.Kilda & running thru the centre & kicking it to our forwards, I think he kicked a couple himself, he absolutely killed Loewe now not bad for a CHB debut.

 

[Big Nasty]

He was no Carey.

That guy was so bloody overated. Ablett greatest of all time, then Leigh Matthews.

 

[Partridge]

Saw GA Snr play a game against West Coast at subiaco one day in the 90's. We all know of the goal kicking feats but this day he gathered 30+ possessions from CHB and absolutely smashed the weeagles. Took it to another level. Anyone remember that?

Yep I do. He actually played in the centre all day, which was pretty rare by that stage of his career. Had 27 kicks, 9 handballs and kicked 5 goals. Absolutely murdered them.

 

[winty]

You've seen the early years one haven't you? Few hrs of footage.

I haven't actually. I know it's on the Net somewhere, but would take days to download with my piddly dial-up connection.

 

[Partridge]

I remember one game against St.Kilda at Kardinia Park in 1994 when we were trailling going into the last quarter and Gazza kicked 5 or 6 in the last quarter and almost single handedly won the game for us.

I remember being at that game clearly. We were 27 points down at 3 quarter time, and Ablett had only kicked 2 to that point. Jamie Shanahan had completely blanketed him.

But of course, he kicked 5 in the last quarter and we won by 3 points. I remember the last 2 goals were both set shots from 55m that went through post high. In time on too.

Interesting postscript, I asked Shanahan about it at the 1996 Brownlow (long story), he rolled his eyes and said "problem was every bastard wants to kick the ball to him". Funny story.

 

[linelefty]

Best ever schmest ever. Juddy is good but he's not that good, Kerr is every bit the player Judd is. Lets see how he finishes his career before judging him. And he's going bald too, thats gota count for something! (Wheras Gaz Jnr just has a naturally large forehead!)

 

[Shell]

He was no Carey.

Think that should be "Carey was no Ablett", sunshine.

 

[Shell]

That was his 150th game too IIRC. Awesome game by Gazza.

I remember one game against St.Kilda at Kardinia Park in 1994 when we were trailling going into the last quarter and Gazza kicked 5 or 6 in the last quarter and almost single handedly won the game for us.
.

Almost?!

Yeah I remember that game too. I also remember Malcolm Blight being booed at 3-quarter time!! But with Ablett you never gave up hope, cause you knew he could always do something special when it counted. First game ever was V Essendon when he kicked 14.. even tho we lost that match, of course I knew I had to follow Geelong, so I could see Ablett play!

 

[bombersmad75]

Everyone criticised him and said he was past it during and after his last season of AFL football. I think his last season was unfairly judged, just due to what he had previously done.

Yeah i was the same even though i dont follow geelong i always loved watching the big guy play. People came to watch him play no one in the afl draws that attention anymore not even the great James Hird. I remember that game in 1993 when he kicked 13 or 14 goals and salmon kicked 10 best game i have ever seen live. He was the best and that terd that is assistant coach for us now stuffed his carrer because gazza kicked his arse every time he tried to stop the man they call god.

 

[Tonycam*]

He would be the only guy that would draw a crowd just to see him , from suporters from all clubs. I remember talking to people at games who's club wasnt even playing and they came to see Gaz.

 

[Copernicus]

Think that should be "Carey was no Ablett", sunshine.

Gotta agree there

Carey was magnificent but nobody could top Gazza at his peak.

 

[Big_Tazz]

Gotta agree there

Carey was magnificent but nobody could top Gazza at his peak.

yup, definately will back u up on that one.

 

[Major Colvin]

Gary Snr will always be my favourite player. No doubt a generation of youngsters support Geelong because he played for them. Judd will probably achieve more, Carey is regarded by footy critics as the best, but I think for everyone who watched him play and heard that gasp of anticipation that would go around the stadium when Gazza went near the ball, knows that he is was the greatest entertainer ever to play the game and had more talent than anyone.

FWIW I like watching his sons play too because they certainly have a bit Gazza in them.

 

[Partridge]

Almost?!

Yeah I remember that game too. I also remember Malcolm Blight being booed at 3-quarter time!! But with Ablett you never gave up hope, cause you knew he could always do something special when it counted. First game ever was V Essendon when he kicked 14.. even tho we lost that match, of course I knew I had to follow Geelong, so I could see Ablett play!

I was fortunate enough to see live all his 10 goal plus hauls, except the 10 against Adelaide in 1993, and 10 (I think) against Brisbane in 1988. Both were interstate though.

I even saw him kick 14 against Sydney at the SCG in 1994. Made the trip up very enjoyable. Kicked 11 at our end too.

 

[Shell]

I was fortunate enough to see live all his 10 goal plus hauls, except the 10 against Adelaide in 1993, and 10 (I think) against Brisbane in 1988. Both were interstate though.

I even saw him kick 14 against Sydney at the SCG in 1994. Made the trip up very enjoyable. Kicked 11 at our end too.

Haha, I think that was the game Ablett either got only one, or no votes in the Brownlow for that! My mum brings it up every year during the Brownlow telecast.

 

[Solstice Raver]

The man is an enigma. I must have seen him kick 500 goals with the games I saw him play. I was there at KP when he kicked his 1000th goal (twice) and saw him kick 3 of his tonnes.

I lived near Geelong as a kid and saw him train a hell of a lot. I can't agree that the guy wasn't a hard trainer. He inspired me to play great footy from his training more than his game day brilliance.

Don't compare him to Carey, Judd, Matthews etc. They are all legends of the game and it is a disservice to all of them to compare.

I know that I love footy so much becuase I loved Gary so much as a kid. All I want every time I go or watch each game of footy is to be in awe as much as I was when Gary Senior was on the ground. It was the only time I really believed in magic.

Thanx Gary!

 

[SJ]

I remember the first time I saw that song they made about him. 'Give us the gods, we've got their names' or whatever it was. Was on a Sunday afternoon watching a Sydney game. Sent more than a single shiver up my spine. Doesn't do it for me nowadays like it used to though.

I know that song. I taped it but mum taped over it at the time. I was shattered. I'd love to have that song and the footage that went with it again.

I remember these lines:

"It must be the game of the gods, when a man can leap for the sky"

"I want to ask you something, I want you to make the call - are we seeing today, the greatest of them all?"