Ok......(deep breath).........
Given some of the comments on here, you would think Ablett is the worst player to ever pull on the Geelong guernsey. Which is patently wrong.
Fact 1: He's only played 32 games.
I would love to go through the first 32 games of Fevola, Hall, Pavlich, Brown and everyone else, and see exactly how their stats compared at the same time. I'm not saying Ablett will be a superstar of the competition, but given how his older brother broke out in his sixth season, I tend to think making sweeping judgements after only 3 years (2 and a bit really) is premature.
Fact 2: He had his best season for Geelong in 2007 and deserved his premiership medal. He kicked 34 goals. More than anyone except Mooney and Steve Johnson. Not a bad effort I would have thought.
Yes he played some poor games (eg round 20 v North, Prelim final v Collingwood), but what's conveniently forgotten is he also played some good ones. For example Round 1 v Bulldogs, Round 2 v Carlton, Round 21 v Port, QF v North, GF v Port Adelaide. So to make a sweeping judgement that he was a passenger all season, and in September, is grossly unfair and incorrect.
He certainly needs to improve further, especially his strength and conditioning. But he's not quite the lump of dead wood some people insinuate.
Given some of the comments on here, you would think Ablett is the worst player to ever pull on the Geelong guernsey. Which is patently wrong.
Fact 1: He's only played 32 games.
I would love to go through the first 32 games of Fevola, Hall, Pavlich, Brown and everyone else, and see exactly how their stats compared at the same time. I'm not saying Ablett will be a superstar of the competition, but given how his older brother broke out in his sixth season, I tend to think making sweeping judgements after only 3 years (2 and a bit really) is premature.
Fact 2: He had his best season for Geelong in 2007 and deserved his premiership medal. He kicked 34 goals. More than anyone except Mooney and Steve Johnson. Not a bad effort I would have thought.
Yes he played some poor games (eg round 20 v North, Prelim final v Collingwood), but what's conveniently forgotten is he also played some good ones. For example Round 1 v Bulldogs, Round 2 v Carlton, Round 21 v Port, QF v North, GF v Port Adelaide. So to make a sweeping judgement that he was a passenger all season, and in September, is grossly unfair and incorrect.
He certainly needs to improve further, especially his strength and conditioning. But he's not quite the lump of dead wood some people insinuate.
Thank god there are posters like you on this site. I get sick of the lack of balance and sweeping statements that are made by some that have clearly given next to no thought on their responses. To blindly state that Nathan doesn't deserve his premiership medal is just pathetic.
As you have stated and I have on other occasions, Nathan was improving year on year, is still only 21 years of age and has clearly showed he has the TALENT to be a very useful footballer. Whether he has the desire to be a successful 200 game player is another thing.
I just hope the kid is happy with whatever he decides to do. If he retires good luck to him.

