It was 27 years ago today...

[Partridge]

That the greatest of all came out to play.

http://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2015-04-27/5-great-games-cats-v-tigers

Needless to say, it's game number 1 on that list. Gary Ablett's 14 goal haul against Richmond occurred on this day 27 years ago. Feel free to share some recollections for those fortunate enough (including myself) to be there.

Full match stats here:

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_match_statistics?mid=4531

 

[James1970]

27 years...time flies, as did Gazza.

The thrill of catching Ablett in full-flight at the MCG in the 80s - magic stuff.

Those moments of anticipation of what might happen when he gathered the ball on a half-back flank, then the fulfillment of wishful desire - the dash down the wings, leaving the opposition (and teammates) in their wake, bounce after bounce, then letting fly with 60m torps to goal. He did this all day - you never wanted it to end.

A truly wonderful afternoon as the G and still remember that magical moment when I looked up and saw the scoreboard tick over 200 points. Hard to believe some mates have never seen their side kick such totals, but we've been lucky to see it numerous times. Kick straight, we could see it again this year, I feel.

Also remember the look on Dale Weightman's face when Gary ran past him through the center - he was like a kid watching a freight train, stunned by the size, speed and wind rushing past him.

Special mention to Gavin Excell, who could only get the ball off Ablett 12 times that day, but kicked 5.3.

I wonder if Matthew Knights has any memories of the game - it would have been one of his very early ones. Geelongcats.com should ask him.

 

[dazbroncos]

Tina turner said it....

Simply the best...

Go Catters

 

[romeohwho]

I was there with my young nephews (before my own kids came along). Sat behind the goals at Punt rd end. It was brilliant. Just raining goals, he was unstoppable and did stuff nobody else could do. I took my nephews who are the children of a mad Collingwood father because I knew they should get the opportunity to see the best player ever, in the flesh. And the father agreed!
Can't believe my luck in living through that era ( and the 2007-11). We aren't always the best, but when Geelong get it right, its something to behold. Go Gazza.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Moved from Melbourne over here in 1999 and was fortunate enough to see the great mans' career first hand

Unbelievable combination of size , power, skill, athleticism , brute strength , timing and hardness ( with a tincture of mongrel at times)
I had a chat with a former Cats physio who said massaging any part of his body was like massaging a brick - absolutely nothing moved
I don't know if it's urban legend but those short twitch fibres made miracles happen , not much in the endurance ranks though

Whilst I fell in love with Polly , Wade , Goggin and co as a little tacker it was the Pontiff who truly captured my imagination and love of the game.
His crowd drawing power was enormous , I have never seen a player so consistently able to stupefy and get begrudging admiration from opposition fans.
Buddy has those moments but Gaz did it consistently.
The big 4 for me are Gaz , Nicklaus, Jordan and Bradman.

 

[sauron256]

Unfortunately I'm too young to have enjoyed Ablett at his peak, but even now watching highlight packages etc I can only marvel at what a player he was.

 

[romeohwho]

Moved from Melbourne over here in 1999 and was fortunate enough to see the great mans' career first hand

Unbelievable combination of size , power, skill, athleticism , brute strength , timing and hardness ( with a tincture of mongrel at times)
I had a chat with a former Cats physio who said massaging any part of his body was like massaging a brick - absolutely nothing moved
I don't know if it's urban legend but those short twitch fibres made miracles happen , not much in the endurance ranks though

Whilst I fell in love with Polly , Wade , Goggin and co as a little tacker it was the Pontiff who truly captured my imagination and love of the game.
His crowd drawing power was enormous , I have never seen a player so consistently able to stupefy and get begrudging admiration from opposition fans.
Buddy has those moments but Gaz did it consistently.
The big 4 for me are Gaz , Nicklaus, Jordan and Bradman.

Yep, agree-haven't seen another player who garnered the admiration of opposition supporters like he did. And people went to games just to see him. Don't know anyone else who had that sort of appeal. Not one bit surprised that his body was like a brick!

 

[Partridge]

I just consider myself incredibly, extremely fortunate.

Saw just about all the great games and most of them live. Saw all three 14 goal hauls too, including the one in Sydney.

He was still a great player later in his career. But he occupied a different plane completely in 1989.

 

[CharacterFirst]

So strong. So powerful. So explosive. So skilled.

I describe him as a player. He took mark AND goal of the year multiple times every game, every week.

Breathtakingly good. Would still dominate today.

 

[vinum coupe]

Geez, making me feel old.

I must have fluked being there, because our army unit spent 3 months in both 88 and 89 in Darwin. So I missed a chunk of footy.
For example the 3 games at the mcg against Melbourne, Essendon, and Collingwood were all watched from the barracks bar in Darwin.

Although the Richmond game is mostly now a blur, I know I was sitting on the wing in the old southern stand with my brother.
But my recollection is that there was a myth that he kicked 14 from the wing. But he didn't.
Blight wasn't stupid, he knew Ablett was unstoppable, and moved him forward.

 

[Cataholic]

So strong. So powerful. So explosive. So skilled.

I describe him as a player. He took mark AND goal of the year multiple times every game, every week.

Breathtakingly good. Would still dominate today.

Was just an amazing, great time to grow up with footy and Ablett.

The best viewing ever.

It's hard to relate to others just how good he was, how fans from all clubs poured through the gates, just to watch him play.

The Bradman of football.

 

[vinum coupe]

Was just an amazing, great time to grow up with footy and Ablett.

The best viewing ever.

It's hard to relate to others just how good he was, how fans from all clubs poured through the gates, just to watch him play.

The Bradman of football.

Mate, I absolutely loved playing footy.
As a 13 year old I was training 4 nights a week, and playing for two different clubs. One on a Saturday, and one on a Sunday.

But there came a point where I just had to quit footy, because I was missing seeing him play.

 

[thegerman]

Great work CharacterFirst brought back some memories there.

Some of those State game goals were just ridiculous

 

[Cataholic]

Mate, I absolutely loved playing footy.
As a 13 year old I was training 4 nights a week, and playing for two different clubs. One on a Saturday, and one on a Sunday.

But there came a point where I just had to quit footy, because I was missing seeing him play.

I can understand that.

He was a player who transcended club loyalties, and brought people to the footy simply because he was playing.

It was even better that we were GFC supporters.

 

[dazbroncos]

To this day I can see any GAS photo or reference and hear "YYAAAAABBBBBLLLEEEEET" like it was yesterday.

I know not everyones cup of tea was Rex but he did define a link to the greatest player of my time... and perhaps all time..

GO Catters

 

[Cataholic]

To this day I can see any GAS photo or reference and hear "YYAAAAABBBBBLLLEEEEET" like it was yesterday.

I know not everyones cup of tea was Rex but he did define a link to the greatest player of my time... and perhaps all time..

GO Catters

Absolutely!

I loved the colour Rex brought to the commentary, and his call on Ablett will forever be remembered.

 

[SJ]

Cue Bobby_.

Can you put a few of your videos back up mate?

 

[year of the cat]

I was there that day too. My most vivid memory was of the Richmond fans around me cheering for Ablett as well as they could sense this was a memorable occasion and respected the immense ability he had. It was almost comical how much better he was than his opponent/s that day. Like you, Partridge, I definitely feel privileged to have watched the most exciting player to have played our game.

 

[Bobby_]

SJ I got handed an infraction because some idiot must have reported a couple of my videos. Copyright infringement to do with a movie soundtrack. This is why I had to take them down as I don't want to risk losing my account privileges until I sort through and remove all videos with music in them.

 

[Cataholic]

SJ I got handed an infraction because some idiot must have reported a couple of my videos. Copyright infringement to do with a movie soundtrack This is why I had to take them down as I don't want to risk losing my account privileges until I sort through and remove all videos with music in them.

Are you for real?

Geez some people need to get a life.

 

[dazbroncos]

Cue Bobby_.

Can you put a few of your videos back up mate?

He is the master... Bobby_

Go Catters

 

[Lewy]

It is not often that you can say that watching an individual player brought as much pleasure as watching your team win a premiership, but I would have to say that was the case with Gazza. He was just unbelievable. I have never watched a minute of the 2008 GF replay and never will. The same can not be said for the 89 GF. Watching Gazza in that game was incredible and I would happily watch it many more times.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Mate, I absolutely loved playing footy.
As a 13 year old I was training 4 nights a week, and playing for two different clubs. One on a Saturday, and one on a Sunday.

But there came a point where I just had to quit footy, because I was missing seeing him play.

Remember his retirement ?
We were on holidays quite a while after he had "retired" - I was having a shower when a couple of mates burst into the bathroom .
They were holding a newspaper and said " what would make you the happiest guy in the world? "
Without knowing what was in the paper there was only one answer for me " Gazzas back ! "
One turned to the other and said - f****g told you he'd say that

 

[Pollywaffle]

The same can not be said for the 89 GF. Watching Gazza in that game was incredible and I would happily watch it many more times.

Maybe not the first quarter (except for the hit on Dermie )

 

[you pick one]

To be able to bring all that skill, all that entertainment to the game together with a hardness that struck fear into most defenders for more than a decade is truly what sets him apart from the mere mortals.