Gary Ablett of Geelong breaks the tackle of Brent Stanton of Essendon during the AFL Round 10 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Geelong Cats at the Docklands Stadium. GSP Images
Gary Ablett’s contract is threatening to completely derail Geelong’s premiership defence. Make no mistake, this story will dominate the headlines every week until a decision is made: will he stay or will he go?
The rumour mills will be in overdrive as every media outlet endeavours to break the story before Ablett breaks his silence.
For a club that has in recent years done everything possible to try and fly under the media radar, this constant speculation surrounding its star player could have a negative impact on the team and it’s on field performance.
I’m not debating whether he’ll leave, but more the significance of how the uncertainty surrounding his future has the potential to hurt Geelong – whether he stays or not!
Ablett’s manager Liam Pickering has given little away and is understandably keeping his cards close to his chest.
The only whisper is a decision will be made by the middle of the year. If he does choose to stay at Geelong a mid-season announcement of course wont be a problem, but what happens if he decides to go?
Out of respect to his team-mates in the midst of their premiership defence I very much doubt he would announce mid-season he’s going to the Gold Coast. Unlike in rugby league, this is simply not common practice in the AFL and would be frowned upon.
Thus leaving Ablett with no choice but to delay any public announcement, and in effect shine an even greater media spotlight on the issue.
The cruel irony and harsh reality for Ablett is no matter what decision he makes, his contract may inadvertently end up being the clubs downfall in 2010.
He has the lure of the reported 1.9 million offer, his dad lives on the Gold Coast, he would probably be named captain and his brother Nathan has resurrected his career and began training with the new team.
All these incentives make it hard to begrudge him if he chooses to move North.
Interestingly coach Mark Thompson has for the first time publicly pleaded with Ablett to reject the Gold Coast and stay a Cat.
Speaking at the clubs season launch, Thompson remarked to the Geelong faithful “seven hundred people in this room heard Gary Ablett say the only reason he plays is to play in a premiership.
“So Gary, you’d be more of a chance (to win one at Geelong) than at the other mob that are offering all that money.”
A nice subtle reminder to his star player that football isn’t all about money and the club is keen to swiftly resolve the issue and avoid the avalanche of speculation coming the Cats way.
President Frank Costa added to the guilt trip spruiking Geelong’s culture
“That’s what makes this club such a great place, such a wonderful place to play footy and be part of the whole Geelong family.”
If he remains at Geelong he will be praised for his loyalty but questions about third party payments will be rife.
If he goes to the Gold Coast, he’ll set himself up for life and be reunited with his family but he’ll also be accused of selling out for money and deserting the place that made him the star player he is today.
Not to mention the unenviable position he finds himself in having to determine the best timing of going public with his decision.
And not forgetting the domino effect and pressure this puts on the Cats salary cap and the clubs ability to secure other players beyond 2010, the most notable is young star and future captain Joel Selwood.
The club is helpless to sign any other player until the Ablett deal is signed off, just imagine the outcry from Cats supporters if they lose Ablett and Selwood in one year!
There’s no doubt this is a classic catch 22 situation, but the longer Ablett waits, the larger discontent will become.
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