Thanks Gazza Snr

[Gazza Greatness]

Seen Gary play his first game for Geelong back in 1984 in 1st round at Kardinia Park against Fitzroy. Geelong's centre line that day was Gary Ablett - Greg Williams - Michael Turner, WOW!. Cats led by 14 goals that day at one stage with Ablett & Williams playing their 1st games for the Cats & were best two players on ground. Walked away from game thinking I had just witnessed potentially the games greatest player, certainly ABILITY wise. Until this day & as good as player as Wayne Carey was, I have NEVER seen a VFL/AFL player with the ABILITY or raw talent of Gary Ablett Snr, no wonder his son has become the leagues most ELITE player, Gary Ablett Snr is his father.

Thanks Gazza Snr for the memories & thank you for producing your champion son, I will be forever grateful.

 

[juzcat]

I remember that first game and gary snr continued to play the wing for most of his first season. He was truly amazing. Is there much footage of him playing wing. be nice to compare snr on the wing verus jnr roving

 

[loz14]

The first game I ever went to I was 5 at KP against Fitzroy...I didn't really support anyone at that age but I went with my dad, sister & some of dads friends who were all mad Geelong & my uncle who was the only Fitzroy supporter. I told my uncle I too would support the Lions so he wasn't on his own.
That day Ablett Snr. kicked 8 or 9 & by the end of the game I was hanging over the fence screaming his name completley in awe of Gazza

Thankyou Gazza Snr. for making me a Geelong Fan (and for GAJ too )

 

[candiehappy]

I started taking my son to the footy in about 1990, when he was 5. It was some years before he realised that kicking 5 goals was not an off day for a forward!

 

[Shell]

I remember that first game and gary snr continued to play the wing for most of his first season. He was truly amazing. Is there much footage of him playing wing. be nice to compare snr on the wing verus jnr roving

I only ever "knew" him as a FF.

Saw him kick 14 in my first ever game of football... wasnt I lucky, lol.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

The first game I ever went to I was 5 at KP against Fitzroy...I didn't really support anyone at that age but I went with my dad, sister & some of dads friends who were all mad Geelong & my uncle who was the only Fitzroy supporter. I told my uncle I too would support the Lions so he wasn't on his own.
That day Ablett Snr. kicked 8 or 9 & by the end of the game I was hanging over the fence screaming his name completley in awe of Gazza

Thankyou Gazza Snr. for making me a Geelong Fan (and for GAJ too )

Just an absolute priviledge to have seen Snr play , surely one of the best one on one players ever ? - rarely lost a contest.
Great memories of him early days - kicking a waterlogged brick of a ball 65m against Footscray and bouncing 4 times on a slippery , wet MCG with no-one able to make up any ground on him.....plus countless others
A true Footballers Footballer........

 

[maryjames]

I went for Gazza Snr more then the team I think...lol

I've still got paper cut outs of Ablett Snr when he played great games..

 

[Turbocat]

The first game I ever went to I was 5 at KP against Fitzroy...I didn't really support anyone at that age but I went with my dad, sister & some of dads friends who were all mad Geelong & my uncle who was the only Fitzroy supporter. I told my uncle I too would support the Lions so he wasn't on his own.
That day Ablett Snr. kicked 8 or 9 & by the end of the game I was hanging over the fence screaming his name completley in awe of Gazza

Thankyou Gazza Snr. for making me a Geelong Fan (and for GAJ too )

loz , which game are you talking about. He certainly didn't kick 8 or 9 in his first game for the Cats. Mark Jackson kicked 9 in that game from memory

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Greatest experience anyone could have had going to the footy...watching Snr play.

 

[loz14]

loz , which game are you talking about. He certainly didn't kick 8 or 9 in his first game for the Cats. Mark Jackson kicked 9 in that game from memory

Not his first game Turbocat, mine.... don't ask what round...i was 5 years old .

I never saw Mark Jackson play

 

[Gazza_11]

Does an ordinary player double in value if they produce a son who plays for the club? I know neither Ablett is ordinary, but say someone like Brent Moloney had a son who became a gun for the Demons. Does it mean Moloney snr=Legend?

 

[Catdog]

I used to get "goose bumps" when couch was heading for ablett at full forward usually a speccie was the result! Talk about awe inspiring!

 

[Ashb23]

Does an ordinary player double in value if they produce a son who plays for the club? I know neither Ablett is ordinary, but say someone like Brent Moloney had a son who became a gun for the Demons. Does it mean Moloney snr=Legend?

Like say Scarlett Snr?

Does this mean Blake snr's legacy is damaged JUST KIDDING!!!!

 

[catfan1]

I never followed a VFL side until the season of 84,and probably not alone.His footballl genius ,and freakish ability is second to none.

 

[Catsace]

Maybe unfair to Cats in the 70's, but i often look upon 1984 as year 'zero' or alternatively year 1 GA as distince from preceeding years that would be years 'Before Ablett'. Just think how much exposure Geelong as a club has received thanks to the exploits of Senior onfield, and how his son has taken up the cudgells and has now played a spell of three and a bit seasons of close to the best footy seen in hoops since the Great Man.

That $60,000 Geelong paid Hawthorn in late 1983 as the transfer fee for Senior would be like the footy equivalent of buying Microsoft shares at about the same time.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Just an absolute priviledge to have seen Snr play , surely one of the best one on one players ever ? - rarely lost a contest.

Michael Turner who was ex Geelong Captain , regular State player & Geelong's best footballer prior to Gary Ablett Snr coming to club, told a story a few years ago about Gary that that goes roughly like this -

" When a new recruit would come to club, the club would like to TEST a new recruits football talents by having him play on me in a number of one on one contests to see how good he maybe. Generally if a new recruit could win a third of the contests, we then new we had a good player on our hands. ENTER Gary Ablett Snr, first contest he beats me, 2nd contest same again, 3rd same again, right I said to myself I'm going to get more serious with this bloke, 4th time he beats me again, after a dozen times I was left sratching my head in disbelief, no one has ever done that to me in a game or practice situation ever, this guys no ordinary hombre.

In 1991 when Gary Ablett was 31 YEARS OF AGE, Malcome Blight moved him permanently to full forward, at 6' 1" Gary wasn't sure how he would go playing a permanent KP post. Thirteen rounds into season he was only ONE week away from breaking Bob Pratt's record as the fastest 100 goals kicked in the history of the game, averaging over 7+ goals a game. Sadly, Gary missed the record but his deeds on the footbal field that year were nothing short of sensational. He then proceeded to kick 100 goals in his next 2 seasons at full forward at the age of 32 & 33. I will forever cherish the memories of his amazing & remarkable football exploits that he provided to all us who were fortunate enough to see him play.

 

[Beth]

I remember pacing around the lounge room and listening to Rex Hunt commenting on the Qualifying and Prelim finals in 89, "Yaaaaaabbbleeett"....gave me goosebumps.

Just wish Snr would quietly get on with life and not agree to be pictured on the front of the Scum with bible in hand...

 

[Turbocat]

In 1991

Little tip , Just check your years.

Having watched the man nearly all of his career he would be the most talented footballer to ever wear the Hoops. Heres a question how would he go today?
On one hand , he has most of the tools of his son. Pace , better kick , better leap , better at the physical stuff. One major deficiency would be his stamina ,yet today he could play a burst then come of for a rest
On the other hand , he would be reported more than ever , would perhaps lack the commitment to gain the fitness todays footballer needs. The other thing is his team tactics orientation. He played the game to the beat of his own drum.
I never thought I could say this but watching little Gaz last week , Im teetering on it. He may be better than his dad. I could only imagine GA sr in our side right now. He would kick 150 goals and about 150 points and I doubt he would handpass the ball if he thought he could get one ( meaning he has the ball anywhere inside 70). Legend!

 

[Shmoses]

I think he would struggle with the professionalism and commitment required to play in the modern AFL much like Nathan did.

 

[Turbocat]

I think he would struggle with the professionalism and commitment required to play in the modern AFL much like Nathan did.

That may be true but its really like comparing Diet Coke to Bundy and Coke. Not to discredit Nathan but GAsr has the skill set that would make suit todays game much more than him. Have a look at Motlop at Port and add another 50%. and a killer game sense.
Put it this way Fevs "professionalism and commitment" would have to be questioned yet his talent has carried him thru. Not every player is Joel Selwood.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

That may be true but its really like comparing Diet Coke to Bundy and Coke. Not to discredit Nathan but GAsr has the skill set that would make suit todays game much more than him. Have a look at Motlop at Port and add another 50%. and a killer game sense.
Put it this way Fevs "professionalism and commitment" would have to be questioned yet his talent has carried him thru. Not every player is Joel Selwood.

Looking forward to see Jnr grow into his body more and use his abilities on the lead and 1:1 the way snr did....Seriously has the ability to be a big time goal kicker in the latter end of his career. Both men are fire hydrants and can't be pushed off a contest - the perfect footballers bodies. However what is scary is that besides all Jnr's physical traits, Snr had the leap as good as any and was probably a bit quicker and could kick a bit longer on both sides....very scary

 

[Shmoses]

That may be true but its really like comparing Diet Coke to Bundy and Coke. Not to discredit Nathan but GAsr has the skill set that would make suit todays game much more than him. Have a look at Motlop at Port and add another 50%. and a killer game sense.
Put it this way Fevs "professionalism and commitment" would have to be questioned yet his talent has carried him thru. Not every player is Joel Selwood.

Yeah I know what you mean, I'm just saying I don't think he'd be as elite in the modern age as Gaz Jr is.