Hypothetical #3 Ablett vs Selwood

[Pollywaffle]

Say it came to retaining one or the other Who would you go for?

I find this interesting because on the one hand we have a great player, with undoubted pedigree- possibly one of the best ever: with the ability to play in a number of spots including, in his twilight years (as the legspeed and endurance deserts him) perhaps owning a forward pocket a la Daicos ( if there is such a spot these days) .

Selwood, more workmanlike, has a bit more youth and 'leadership' qualities plus an intangeable 'something else' that makes him inspirational. Where to after he leaves the midfield ? His goalkicking is not great , Could he hold down a utility spot as well as jimmy or Corey?
I guess he could be retained for a little less cash which may be put to use retaining a number of other footloose players who may be tempted to stray

Interested to see where the polls head

My Instincts tell me that Ablett will win quite easily but the choice is not as easy as you would think

 

[Wish Wellingtons]

Ablett is better and always will be but i'd rather have Selwood.

1. I can see him being around for our next era of dominance (2010 may be the last year of this one)

2. He has the leadership ability to steer us into that era, while Gazza may not.

3. Selwood would be cheaper.

 

[pinion]

on paper, selwood. he's the ideal next captain of the club and is at an age where he could lead us through rebuilding our list. he could also conceiveably become our games record holder (a long way away, i know) considering he's played 70 games in three seasons while barely missing a beat.

but gary ablett is gary ablett. i think we were all so excited to get him to the club and watch his development into the best player in the AFL. if he were gary jones then i'd probably prefer selwood, but i think it'd make me physically ill to ever see him in oposition colours.

 

[Cohzee]

If Ablett stays he will clock 320+ games easily.

 

[Claude Balls]

Ablett by a mile.

1. What guarantee do we have that Selwood will still be a gun during our 'next stint'? I think some people are kinda deluded in this regard. Our next stint might not be until 2018, and Selwood's knees/style of play might well have much diminished him by that stage. He's already played 70 odd games, so even by 2016 he'll be on something like 200.

2. Gaz might well still be a gun when he's 33, kicking bags of goals as a forward just like his old man at the same age.

3. Ablett could well be regarded as a top-20 player of all time when he hangs up his boots. I'd much prefer he also be remembered as a Cat through and through. I don't think Selwood will get much better than he is already, so he's unlikely to get anywhere near the same legendary status.

 

[raymagoo]

downside to ablett is that he has been linked to gc and has family ties there? where do his interests lie? how old is he? he can turn a game better imo than selwood & could play as a forward with impact in his twilight. selwood on the other hand hard as nails inspirational born leader and still young. How long until he seriously hurts himself? and those injuries and concerns before he was drafted, will they ever pop up?

Ablett for mine just, he has many many games left as well but not captaincy material

 

[cynical]

Selwood has easily more playing value.

But the Ablett name is such a strong part of Geelong. I wouldn't want possibly one of the best players of all time leaving the club at his prime.

I seriously dont know why the guy would leave for money, when his longterm value as a geelong legend would be worth a lot more.

If either left I'd be gutted.

 

[re cat]

It's like choosing between your children.

So pass.

 

[CatFan79]

Brain says Selwood, Heart says Ablett..

 

[patdman]

I don't know about the whole "selwood will be around longer" talk. That boy has no regard for his own personal safety, and even without any serious injury could still be cutting his career short by at least few years. Maybe I'm wrong, it's just a speculative "possibly, maybe"
Either way, I would puke before every game with Gary Jnr on TV playing for another club. If Selwood was playing for another club...I wouldn't puke, even if he was holding up the cup, but I would definitely be upset.
Going purely based on my heart, I would kill Joel Selwood to ensure we kept Gary Ablett...please don't call the police, I am 15,000 km's away

 

[Rosso]

Hate it if it came to it but Gaz is the man. Selwood is fantastic and will get better but Gaz is number 1 in the comp for a reason.

Forget about this door closing after 2010 crappola cause we are in a great spot to keep on winning for a few years to come. If the list stays together the midfield will continue to be the yardstick and the forwards and backs will still be more than handy. Let's not forget that just cause a bloke hits 30, doesn't mean he forgets how to play.

Opposition clubs will need to trade their way to a good list with the draft concessions over the next few years so those with a good list now will benefit in the future.

 

[PoidaCat]

Ablett.

Better Kick, Better Handballer, Better Evasive Skills, Better Mark, Can play forward.

So if 'being a better Footballer' is the criteria then Ablett.


Selwood is still awesome though.

 

[The rabbi]

It's like choosing between your children.

So pass.

Yep. Feel the same as R.C.
RC's comment reminds me of the movie "Sophie's Choice".

 

[Big Fozza]

i hate this thread

 

[Pollywaffle]

i hate this thread

Hey I knew it would provoke spirited discussion. Thats why I started it
Personally I would be gutted to see either of these guys in anything other than hoops but.... well, it might happen
Lets hope it remains hypothetical
( you do know what that means dont you?)

 

[Vdubs]

How can you go past the BEST?--- ABLETT, but glad it will never be an issue we have to face. Not only the best CAT, JUST SIMPLY THE BEST

 

[Hoppers Xing]

I'd rather have Selwood at the dogs, Ablett can't possibly improve, and will only start to slide as he goes on where as Selwood is a potential leader and a free kick magnet, as well as a decent player.

 

[Catter]

I hate this thread also.........

But..........................Selwood....I nearly spewed saying that