Nathan Ablett

[Prodigal Sons]

Everyone - myself included - want's to see this kid step up this year, but I'm still struggling with his body language and general approach to the game.

Might be unfortunate that it's just the way he comes across but does'nt seem to have the hunger or the desperation from where I'm sitting.

Conditions did'nt suit him on Sat night but that said I still reckon he looks like he's barely in 2nd gear even when he attacks the footy. Would love to see the opposition try and get more physical with him and hopefully he'll get some aggression developing. I'm just trying to make a point that right now if you were an opposition backman I don't think you'd be having sleepless nights if you were due to play the Cat's.

Take away the surname and I reckon he's just very average at this stage of his career.

 

[Tonycam*]

I dont know , If you had have asked me at the start of last year , or even half way through the season , I would have just about agreed but I think he started to show some real form towards the end of the season. he was looking much more at home and I think with the team we have he will show more improvement as this year roles on. He will never be the superstar the name brings like his dad or even his brother. But I definately think he will make a name for himself in the cats side.
Dont judge by last weekends game because very few suited the conditions , I think he will be ok

 

[cat_fanatic]

Disagree. Nath is looking good from where I’m sitting. He has shown composure in tight situations and displayed a great marking ability and kicking boot.
He is still young remember and will need at least a couple more years before he bumps it up to 3rd or 4th gear as you put it.
He is our 3rd tall and although he’s not spectacular, backmen won’t be taking him for granted and if they do, he’ll kick a bag.
There is also Hawkins to come in should Nath suffer a form laps and add to that Chapman and Stokes: opposition teams will dread playing us and experience sleepless nights as a result!

 

[Spinksme]

Soon the call of NAAABBBLETTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!! will emanate from stands all over this football loving country! Give him time.... This season, he will show, he wont become a star until next though.

 

[WE Are Geelong]

Gaz jnr said at the start of this season that Nathan would improve but dont expect too much...still had some development to do as he is a bigger sort of player...I reckon Gaz would know him and his game better than anyone...give him time.

 

[Kegs44]

I think he'll step up this year to a degree, kick 30-40 goals and have a very solid season! Never will be gud as his bro or father as has been said but will def be a solid contributor
And i think he just comes across as someone in 2nd gear, because i've heard hes reli starting to enjoy his footy down there and even that the cats had to drag him out of the gym, dont no how true this is tho! With Ottens, Nablett, Mooney and maybs Hawkins, with crumbers such as Gaz Jnr, chappy and stokesy, our forward line is looking the goods!

 

[RememberMe]

For a tall with his build he takes some massive pack marks. I remember when his name first got mentioned that he was touted as a better prospect than GAJ... Dunno though. I reckon he'll be around for a while though. If we can keep Playfair and Gardiner, then we can keep NAB.

 

[Mooney_d'King]

I understand what you're getting at, but it's only the start of the guy's third season. Yes, he has a low-key approach, but his intensity at the ball, creativity and confidence are visibly improving, in my opinion. With any luck he'll be underestimated by the opposition, making him a dangerous and distracting player, and continue improving through the year. He's not up there with the best, but he's certainly showing signs of being a very good, long-term proposition for the club. Early days...

 

[krisholio14]

I think he'll step up this year to a degree, kick 30-40 goals and have a very solid season! Never will be gud as his bro or father as has been said but will def be a solid contributor
And i think he just comes across as someone in 2nd gear, because i've heard hes reli starting to enjoy his footy down there and even that the cats had to drag him out of the gym, dont no how true this is tho! With Ottens, Nablett, Mooney and maybs Hawkins, with crumbers such as Gaz Jnr, chappy and stokesy, our forward line is looking the goods!

i reckon youre underselling the boy here. i reckon he looks better every time i see him and think there is a wealth of potential there. if not for a couple of posters against richmond he could have had 3 or 4, and i thought he covered alot of ground on saturday night, and did the little things that make life easier for his teammates.

is it anything unusual for an ablett to make it look like hes coasting?

mark my words, he may have a little spell in the VFL early in the season, but come the end of it hes going to be a strong part of our forward line.

 

[Tonycam*]

Sounds good to me. Think you nailed it here

 

[Major Colvin]

Outsiders perspective..he won't make it. He shouldn't be let off the hook so easily, body language is very important. Has talent, no doubt. But I doubt he has the desire, something that is hard to instill in a player and is a must if Geelong is to win a premiership. I'd love to see him prove me wrong though cause I really think he is a special talent

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Nathan Ablett will be a superstar he is so skillful for a big man, reads the play well, and knows what to do with the ball.. give him a year to gain some confidence at this level and i think we have a star in the making. geelong will win the premiership next year a psychic told me so. what a forward line Ottens Mooney Abletts Chapman and Hawkins, unbeatable...

 

[worthogs]

oh and while you are at it why dont you bag Tom Hawkins for not joining in with the rest of the team. He has not been seen at all pre season, except in the stands.

Very un comitted as well if you ask me.

Get a grip ...or ease it off a bit fella it not even round 1 yet.

 

[SriLankanCat]

Nathan Ablett has done some impressive things, hoiwever i do agree taht because of his surname we dont bag him as much. I think he needs another 2 years, after that if he doesnt perform then im sure the cats would do the right thing.

People may say his name shouldnt matter, perhaps that is true but havign them there i think is good for the club at least emotionally and mentally. If however it went on too long, then im sure it would be the opposite and i have faith that the club would do what would be best for us and Nathan.

But hey lets focus on the positives here ay N Ablett still has potential

 

[jim boy]

I understand what you're getting at, but it's only the start of the guy's second season.

third season

 

[scottydeewah]

his dad didnt do much until he was like 23 or so and displayed the same body language for much of his career.

 

[someday-somehow]

his dad didnt do much until he was like 23 or so and displayed the same body language for much of his career.

Spot on...nathan's a bit of an enigma at this stage, some little things I have seen make me think this kid could be anything but I'm not sure if other teams get physical on him wether he will not crumble.

Having said that I think based on his natural ability I think he is worth persevering with (we've kept gardiner for years haven't we?). I think of this as his second season as he has not progressed through the typical paths to AFL so was nowhere near as ready in his first year. I think this year and next year will give us some indication of his desire.

 

[Partridge]

Outsiders perspective..he won't make it. He shouldn't be let off the hook so easily, body language is very important. Has talent, no doubt. But I doubt he has the desire, something that is hard to instill in a player and is a must if Geelong is to win a premiership. I'd love to see him prove me wrong though cause I really think he is a special talent

Maybe, but then apply the same blowtorch to every guy in the competition who's played 11 senior games. Perhaps not all were superstars immediately.

 

[Boundary-Rider]

Has displayed the skills and over the past season he played well. BOG over the VFL finals once and showed enough.
So far this season presented well, still needs the ball kicked to himwhen leading. Created play even in the wet conditions on SAt.

Will be there for us over the year.Should be used as 3rd tall rotating from square to chf. Strong on the lead and kicks well. No tall dominated Sat night, yes mooney did get 3 and gave one away. But went missing for over a quarter and a half.

Nathan is to unselfish, tries to bring others in when sometimes he should just go for it, do not blame the kid for being to team orientated, With the potnetial four big man rotation, Ottens, Mooney, N Ablett and Hawkins we should always have a strong 3rd tall going around.

People still forget that Nathan is developing and has shown he belongs, get off his back. Name me another player in the AFL that has come directly from a country U18 team without having spent time in a system such as the TAC clubs.

He was probably two years behind similar age players and for me he has shown he is capable of AFL standard.

 

[Mooney_d'King]

third season

Oops

 

[scottydeewah]

One other thing, I just watched the weekends game and I will admit it was a half arsed viewing, BUT, I thought he had a pretty good game for a big man or for that matter anyone? Makes this thread appear a bit strange now.

 

[Barrabus]

Have to say, from what I've seen of Nablett this year, I've been most impressed with his confidence, and voice, starting to look like he realises that he belongs in the team. Even if it's the start of his third season, he came in green as. Expect him to breakout soon.

 

[scottydeewah]

yeah i dont really understand this thread. He has fitted into our forward line quiet nicely this year....i am confused.

 

[TheTimeCometh]

maybe a spade isn't a spade after all scotty.

 

[scottydeewah]

maybe a spade isn't a spade after all scotty.

ahh I see where i went wrong. Sometimes i read what people write and take it as literal meaning.