It might sound like I’m stating the bleeding obvious, but surely now the writing is on the wall for the Cats. If Ablett planned on staying with Geelong, he would have made an announcement before the finals, not after. He’s well and truly flagged his intent. Besides, every uncontracted player earmarked to be heading to the Gold Coast next season has ended up confirming the move.
This week it was Campbell Brown.
Football’s worst kept secret was made official on Wednesday when the popular clubman turned his back on the Hawks to take a lucrative offer from the Suns.
How can you blame him? Put simply, there’s no loyalty in football anymore from club or player, and nor should there be. It’s just business.
Despite finding that out the hard way, Brown still categorically denied any bad blood with Hawthorn after he was offered up for trade last season.
“Those are the type of things that happen in AFL footy these days and we worked that out at the end of last year and that had no bearing at all on my decision”
But having already secured four uncontracted players, Gold Coast CEO Travis Auld admitted the poaching spree is far from over, and suggested the Suns may be targeting as many as eight uncontracted players in total.
The big fish is, of course, Gary Ablett, and if recent history means anything, he’s gone, hook, line and sinker. There’s no doubt the AFL’s new club will be champing at the bit to unveil its prized catch.
Patience has been a virtue, but it must be wearing thin for Ablett. Regardless, he might not have to wait much longer.
If the Cats win tonight, the speculation will continue, but if they lose, then surely Ablett will announce his decision almost immediately. Even Andrew Demetriou hinted a bombshell is just around the corner
“There’ll be some announcements coming up in the coming weeks … and we’ll all wait with anticipation”
Reports this week Ablett wants to captain a club in the future were taken slightly out of context, but they certainly shouldn’t be disregarded either. Accepting his All Australian award on Monday night Ablett was asked if he would like to lead a side one day.
”I do actually, do really [want to be a captain],” he said. ”I think when you first get to a club you are not quite sure. You get in there and all you are thinking about is playing your first senior game, and I get out on the field and try and lead out that way. I just really didn’t expect this [vice-captaincy of the All-Australian team].”
Not exactly a convincing response, but then again, put yourself in his shoes: every single word he says is dissected by the media, every move analysed, and every action scrutinised.
Of course, the school of thought is if he does head to the Gold Coast he will automatically assume the inaugural captaincy.
If it is his burning desire to be a captain, the Gold Coast will have already dangled the carrot, but at Geelong, it’s a completely different story.
Geelong has invested too much time and faith in its culture to be offering the lure of leadership in an attempt to hold onto a player, even if it is Gary Ablett. I don’t see Cameron Ling stepping aside in the foreseeable future, either.
“He is a terrific leader whether or not he wants to have the captaincy title next to his name is up to him” Ling said. Campbell Brown’s gut feeling was Ablett is heading north.
I agree.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
"I am inevitable" - Thanos, Avengers: Endgame You know that scene at the end of a horror movie where everyone thinks the killer is…
Blues fans were adamant Zac Williams should have received a free kick - but Jason Dunstall and David King weren't impressed with his effort!
Blues fans certainly seemed to be copping a rough run from the umps against Geelong!
"They're not getting a lot of love from the umpires at the moment, the Blues!"
Kicked it like a backman!
We’re taking a look at one player from each team that needs to make a difference this week, starting with the ANZAC Day games.
