Universal Love The end is nigh for Gary Ablett; we will never see a player like him again

[DV2000]

If anyone hasn't seen this highlights package from the 2008 grand final recently, give it a watch to remind yourself of what G Ablett could do at his peak. So clean, skilful and classy - he displayed incredible vision, evasiveness and strength in this game.

 

[AM]

Fantastic servant to the game. Reckon we'd have snagged another flag had he not moved to the Suns. Let's hope Saturday makes up for it.

Dad was better tho.

 

[TheWoodenSlug]

If anyone hasn't seen this highlights package from the 2008 grand final recently, give it a watch to remind yourself of what G Ablett could do at his peak. So clean, skilful and classy - he displayed incredible vision, evasiveness and strength in this game.

I haven't seen that before (not surprisingly, I've never really sought out highlights from that game), but it's a great clip. I'd forgotten just how good he was that day, but it was easily a Norm Smith worthy performance.

I don't love the song that went with the video, but it was very apt. "You'll never see me again" .

 

[cats_09]

 

[kickazz]

If anyone hasn't seen this highlights package from the 2008 grand final recently, give it a watch to remind yourself of what G Ablett could do at his peak. So clean, skilful and classy - he displayed incredible vision, evasiveness and strength in this game.

geez Mitchell was a dirty sniper

 

[thecatattack]

geez Mitchell was a dirty sniper

Took you til 2020 to realise?

 

[CabWesty]

geez Mitchell was a dirty sniper

Was about to say the same thing. Cleaned him up with no eye for the ball, then coat hangered him after he'd disposed of it. Grubby.

 

[cats_09]

He was a constant, pestering presence on the training track and in the rooms at Kardinia Park during his father's career, and one folded quickly into the other; it is remarkable to consider that Cats fans endured only five Ablett-less seasons between the coming and going of Garys.

And this explains how much of a joke of a club the Gold Coast Suns are

At the end of the 2016 season, with Ablett contracted to the club for another year, his manager Liam Pickering flew to the Gold Coast and called a meeting with the Suns. Among the agenda items was Ablett's need to be closer to family as his sister Natasha's health spiralled. Ablett and Pickering didn't need to sit down to guess the answer: neither the coach nor the CEO of the Suns turned up, leaving underlings to brush off the club's greatest asset.

 

[PhatBoy]

And this explains how much of a joke of a club the Gold Coast Suns are

This was a fantastic story. Really well written and balanced.

I watched the Fox Footy replay of the 2009 Grand Final last night. It wasn't Ablett's best game but it just reminded me how hard he was at the ball at his peak and how good he was at keeping his feet and his poise under even the most extreme pressure

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]

I haven't seen that before (not surprisingly, I've never really sought out highlights from that game), but it's a great clip. I'd forgotten just how good he was that day, but it was easily a Norm Smith worthy performance.

I don't love the song that went with the video, but it was very apt. "You'll never see me again" .

Mitchell, Ling towelled him up and he showed what a dirty dog he was, not fit to tie Ablett's boots. He was however the Premiership captain on the day so winners are grinners.

He was great that day, but if Hodge didn't play, Hawthorn wouldn't have won.

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]

This was a fantastic story. Really well written and balanced.

I watched the Fox Footy replay of the 2009 Grand Final last night. It wasn't Ablett's best game but it just reminded me how hard he was at the ball at his peak and how good he was at keeping his feet and his poise under even the most extreme pressure

My brother and I went in '09 and I remember us both saying the same thing. In the last, when everyone else were gassed, the only ones that really seemed to have any run in their legs were Ablett, Varcoe and Shagger Byrnes.

 

[PhatBoy]

My brother and I went in '09 and I remember us both saying the same thing. In the last, when everyone else were gassed, the only ones that really seemed to have any run in their legs were Ablett, Varcoe and Shagger Byrnes.

YES!!!

When that game was actually played I was at the local soccer fields watching my kids so I was spending most of the afternoon relying on a transistor radio and in the time since I've just watched sporadic highlights packages. I never ever rated Byrnes (probably a symptom of who he played with) but last night I actually thought to myself "wow what a game he played considering the circumstances."

The other thing that stood out - and its something we all know but take for granted - was how hard at the ball Selwood was. Just no regard whatsoever for self preservation

 

[ATSAM]

And this explains how much of a joke of a club the Gold Coast Suns are

Could not agree more. The Suns deserve to stay the joke that they are. After reading the story on the ABC website, which tells the story of them refusing Ablett 'trade', I think that I now hate them.

 

[PhatBoy]

Could not agree more. The Suns deserve to stay the joke that they are. After reading the story on the ABC website, which tells the story of them refusing Ablett 'trade', I think that I now hate them.

While they have people in their organisation who have worked at other clubs, you probably need to remember that this is an organisation that has not experienced any of this before - their lone franchise player wanting out and in that situation they would have been desperate to hang onto any currency they had. They would have learned from it and should be able to handle it better in future

 

[cats_09]

Could not agree more. The Suns deserve to stay the joke that they are. After reading the story on the ABC website, which tells the story of them refusing Ablett 'trade', I think that I now hate them.

It's not just that they refused to trade him, but the total lack of respect with neither the coach nor CEO showing up to a meeting with Ablett & his manager

This was the teams lead franchise player and club captain from 2011 to 2016; it's understandable they wanted to keep him, but that's an embarrassing level of disrespect

 

[winty]

Will be interesting to see what Gaz says about his time at the Suns in his autobiography.

 

[bellpark]

In the third quarter last week against Brisbane, Gazza got back that look he gets like a White Pointer cruising for food - slightly hunched over moving through traffic to where the ball will magically appear. Those 2 goals close together were in that period - have'nt seen him up and about in that menacing way for ages - cant wait - he will bring it, we can count on that

 

[cats_09]

From the Geelong addy

NO SECOND THOUGHTS FOR ABLETT ON RETIREMENT

Geelong superstar Gary Ablett has declared he has no regrets about his decision to retire as he chases the ultimate finish to his legendary career.

The 36-year-old believes he could have squeezed out another season next year but has no plans to backtrack on his commitment to finish up after Saturday’s Grand Final.

“(There’s) no second thoughts. No second thoughts,” Ablett said on Sunday fresh off Geelong’s 40-point win over Brisbane at the Gabba.

“The game doesn’t get easier. I think for me, over the last couple of years, my body hasn’t been able to do what it could do in my younger years.

“I think going into pre-seasons I just had to adapt to that and work out other ways that I could help the team. That’s around my footy IQ, positioning myself in the right spot.”

Ablett is one of five premiership players remaining at Geelong heading into Saturday’s showdown with Richmond.

Joel Selwood

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Joel Selwood

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37

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183cm

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84kg

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24.9

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12.5

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3.6

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5.3

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5.7

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18.3

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9.7

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8.6

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M

2.4

3star

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4.0

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4.0

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23.4

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13.2

5star

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10.2

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3.6

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4.8

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5.8

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is looking for his fourth flag and first as skipper; Tom Hawkins

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Tom Hawkins

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37

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197cm

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105kg

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Fwd

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12.2

3star

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4.4

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M

5.5

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1.9

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G

2.1

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D

12.7

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8.6

3star

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4.1

3star

M

5.1

5star

T

2.1

3star

G

1.6

5star

D

7.8

2star

K

5.6

3star

HB

2.2

2star

M

4.2

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1.0

3star

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2.2

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and Harry Taylor

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Harry Taylor

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39

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195cm

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94kg

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Def

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15.5

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207.9

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12.1

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7.9

3star

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4.3

3star

M

4.0

4star

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2.0

3star

MG

119.3

2star

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17.6

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K

7.2

3star

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10.4

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5.6

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0.8

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their third, while Mitch Duncan was part of the 2011 success in just his second season.

Ablett plans to lend his experience to the Cats younger players, but there is one player he feels does not need any guidance.

“No advice for Patty (Dangerfield). He is a superstar,” Ablett said. “He knows what he needs to do and I am sure that, now he has the opportunity, he will perform on the big stage.”

Ablett said only hindsight could judge where a 2020 premiership would sit in comparison to his 2007 and 2009 medals.

“It’s been 11 years since I played in a Grand Final,” he said.

“I’m really excited. I’ve been blessed through the past 19 years, just to play the game for that long.

“The average career is four years and I’ve been able to achieve so much in my career.”

Ablett was in vintage touch against Brisbane on Saturday night, kicking two telling goals in the third quarter to help the Cats capitalise on their dominance.

He still finds the right spots, but says the physical demands take their toll.

“I could probably get my body through another 12 months, but … it is a physical game,” he said.

“It is a tough game and if we can win a premiership this Saturday it would be a nice way to go out.”

Ablett plans to spend the first 12 months of retirement with his family while also exploring several business opportunities.

“(But) it’s going to be hard for me to leave the game,” he said.

“I’ve been doing it for 19 years, so I am sure I will struggle with that for the first 12 months, but at the same time I am excited about what’s next.

“I’m looking forward to transitioning into life after football, whatever that looks like. There’s plenty of great players coming through, so I don’t think they’ll miss me too much.”

ABLETT FEELS THE LOVE IN FINAL WEEK OF CAREER

Gary Ablett can feel the love.

His phone is constantly lighting up with messages of support from family and friends, while Cats fans are flooding his private messages on social media.

When Ablett left Gold Coast for his Geelong homecoming at the end of 2017, he did so with one dream in mind: to win a final flag at the Cats.

On Saturday night, in what will be his 357th and final game, he gets the opportunity for a fairytale finish that has all the potential of a box-office classic.

“When I got back to Geelong, I always said it was about winning a premiership,” he said.

“I’ve been back there for three years and we got into a prelim final last year.

“We had a real opportunity of winning that game and I had a big decision to make at the end of last year: do I go again?

“And the reason that I did is I believed we had the list to go all the way. We get a shot this Saturday and we’ll see how we go.”

Ablett admits there have been times when he wrestled with self-doubt as he evolved his game from midfield dynamo to forward-half specialist.

No longer was it about counting possessions, but making those possessions count. Just like his running goal out of the middle in the third quarter that was so vintage Ablett it could have been lifted from any of his previous 18 seasons.

“I always know you are going to get those opportunities and when they come you need to make the most of them,” he said.

“For me, it was understanding that I didn’t need to touch the ball 30 times.

“It is not an easy game. The older you get, the harder it gets on your body.

“For me, it was just about setting those little goals from week to week and just making sure that I knew I was not going to be able to be the best player every week.

“It was about my role within the team and I believe one of my strengths is when I get the ball, I do something with it.

“It was just making sure that if I was touching it 10-12 that I was able to have a real impact.”

On that goal on Saturday night from the back edge of the centre square, Ablett said: “I felt I was in range and I had the shot and the ball went through. The old legs have still got a bit in them, so hopefully I can put a few more through this weekend.”

Ablett spent two months out of the Geelong bubble to be with his family to support his partner Jordan after their son Levi was diagnosed with a rare degenerative condition.

During that period, Jordan’s mother Trudy passed away after a battle with cancer.

Ablett rejoined his teammates a month ago with clarity about his role after having discussion with coach Chris Scott

Chris Scott

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49

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182cm

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89kg

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Fwd

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16.6

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11.2

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5.4

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0.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

13.2

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10.2

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3.0

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2.2

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2.8

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0.4

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.

The Cats had made a few tweaks to their game plan in the two months he spent out of the bubble, but he was constantly kept in the loop with a series of calls and messages as he trained with Andrew Mackie

Andrew Mackie

Age

41

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193cm

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82kg

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Def

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19.2

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12.6

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6.6

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5.7

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346.7

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No current season stats available

D

9.0

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6.2

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2.8

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at GMHBA Stadium.

“I still believe I am in Geelong’s best 22 and I did a good month of work before I got up here, so I knew my body was going to be able to handle football games,” he said.

“It was just a matter of working out what that looked like.

“I spoke to Scotty about when I come back, does he see me running a little through the midfield or playing more down forward.

“We both agreed that my best position for the team was down forward.”

Ablett has exchanged a few messages with his dad this week and will give him a call in the coming days.

“My old man has been taking about making a comeback, so you never know,” Ablett joked. “You might see him in a forward pocket.”

Dad’s message this week?

“Like always, he will be super supportive. He’ll tell me to go out and enjoy myself, have fun, do your best and that’s all you can do. So hopefully we can come away with the win and we can celebrate with the family.”

Ablett only needs to look at his phone to know how much a flag would mean. His last Grand Final appearance was 2009 (he was at Gold Coast in 2011) and a flag would mark 13 years between his first and last premiership.

“I have received so many messages over the last couple of weeks,” he said.

“Not just from family and people I know, but private messages on social media from people wishing me all the best.

“That’s really nice to know everyone is behind me. Hopefully we can finish off well, get that premiership cup, take it back to Geelong and celebrate with all of our fans.”

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[Bring back Moloney]

This is it.

 

[Sttew]

Dad was better tho.

Dad's best was better, but over the journey GAJ has proven to be much more consistent than his father, IMO. Imagine if you could combine the qualities of father and son - you'd have THE perfect footballer.

Without question THE greatest father-son combo in VFL / AFL history.....

 

[#6 Thorp #7 Selwood LOL]

If anyone hasn't seen this highlights package from the 2008 grand final recently, give it a watch to remind yourself of what G Ablett could do at his peak. So clean, skilful and classy - he displayed incredible vision, evasiveness and strength in this game.

You watch this and wonder how we lost the game. In one highlight it's level with 10 mins to go in the 3rd, next one its them by 5 goals 15 minutes later. Gross.

I haven't watched a replay of the game start to finish. Never will I don't think.

 

[cats_09]

 

[turtles]

Of the greats i have seen, some could be claimed as being the best in the league for a season, maybe 2.
Ablett held this accolade, season after season. 7 years in a row? 8 years in a row? Lasted so long i cant even remember.
In the last 25 years, he stands all alone as simply the best i have seen.
Going to really miss watching him play. I hope i get to see truly vintage ablett just one more time.

Best of luck against the Tigers

 

[cats_09]

 

[crocsta]

The amazing aspect I find with Gaz is that he never appeared physically like he could be a potential GOAT.

He was relatively short, looked too thick in the hips, didn’t really have defined biceps etc. If there was a line up of players and we asked an American to pick out the GOAT, Gaz would be last picked.

You can see the speed and power in the physiques of a Judd, Danger, Carey, Buddy, and Gaz Snr. Little Gaz is brilliance by stealth.

What he does have is next level reflexes, amazing touch, unreal understanding of how ball will bounce, sublime skills, incredible strength, and most importantly the desire to win.

I hope he plays well and gets his third flag


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