Arguably the greatest player in AFL history, Gary Ablett Jnr will be remembered as one of the true champions of the game. The son of AFL Legend, Gary Ablett Snr, Gary Jnr entered the AFL in 2001 with a huge weight of expectation.
Starting his career as a crafty small forward, who showed nous around goals and tremendous evasive ability, it wasn’t until his 2007 season when he moved into the midfield that everyone realised how good a player he could be. This culminated in Geelong winning the 2007 Premiership over Port Adelaide by 119 points and Gary collecting the following individual awards. AFLPA MVP, AFLCA Player of the Year, All Australian, and Club Best & Fairest.
From 2007 until 2014, Gary was the most dominant player in the game even though during this time he made the huge decision to leave his beloved Cats at the end of 2010 and join the AFL’s newest team, the Gold Coast Suns. This news sent shockwaves through the industry, however in true fashion Gary did not let this affect him. Whilst the first year for the team was a struggle, Gary added his fifth consecutive All Australian jumper and was named Captain, as well as winning the Club Best & Fairest.
As the inaugural Captain of the Club, Gary continued to shoulder much of the load in the first few seasons as his highly talented but younger teammates continued to mature. Winning a second Brownlow Medal in 2013 to add to his first one in 2009, Gary was in peak form in 2014 before suffering a serious shoulder injury in Round 16 which ended his season. Gary’s form until that stage of the year was unrivalled, which was reflected in the Brownlow Medal votes when even though he missed the last 6 games of the season, Gary still finished second and just four votes behind the winner.
Unfortunately the last three seasons at the Gold Coast were hampered by his shoulder injury which he re-injured in 2016. However in true style, when Gary took to the field whether he be injured or not, he would always get the most attention from the opposition yet still manage to play extremely well.
Season 2018 was the year of the homecoming. After seven seasons with the Suns, Gary moved back home to be closer to family, and the Cats supporters were ecstatic. Since Gary had left the club they had been consistently around the mark to win a Premiership however hadn’t been fortunate to get over the line since 2011. Many were hoping Gary’s return would see the club add to the Premiership tally. Gary took on a different role for his old club, reverting back to more of a small forward rather than a midfielder that was blessed with it owns stars.
Whilst the Cats couldn’t win a Premiership during Gary’s time at the club, they did come agonisingly close in 2020 which would prove to be Gary’s last AFL game. The Grand Final was far from perfect for Gary, suffering a serious shoulder injury in the first quarter, however he soldiered on through immense pain to be a very valuable contributor in the AFL’s very first night Grand Final.
Now into the early parts of his retirement, Gary has used the time to refresh his mind and body, which has included spending some valuable time with his young son, Levi, and wife, Jordan. Currently involved in a number of business ventures, as well as being an Ambassador for RACV Solar
Achievements
• Brownlow Medal 2009 & 2013
• Gold Coast Suns Best & Fairest 2011, 12, 13 & 17
• Geelong Best & Fairest 2007 & 09
• AFLPA MVP 2007, 08, 09, 12 & 13
• All Australian 2007, 08, 09, 10, 11 (c), 12 (vc), 13 (vc), 14
• AFLCA Player of the Year 2007, 08 & 09
• Premiership Player 2007 & 09
• Gold Coast Leading Goal Kicker 2012 & 13