Sorry Gazza, a move back to Geelong won't repair your broken legacy

Gazza is a legend of the game and gave his all for 2 clubs for 16 years. He was never selfish as a player or a person, and has been a role model how he conducts himself on the field and off the field. As a Geelong supporter I would be so happy to see him return to Geelong and have chance to prove to the footy world that he is the best player to have ever played the game, and hopefully help Geelong win another premiership. This year with the few games he has played, he still has been excellent and would be fantastic for footy fans in general to see him playing in the big finals games if he gets to spend his last year or 2 at Geelong.

As a Cats fan I never begrudged Gary for his move. The offer h got and the promises that were made to him were just too good to pass up. I wished had stayed, but he didn't. I still have his first Brownlow memorabilia on my wall. I still have my 29 Cats Guernsey with Ablett across the back. I was one of the first out of my seat at Kardinia Park in Gary's first game back in Geelong when he kicked that freakishly awesome goal 50 out from the boundary. It's still the only opposition goal I have ever cheered loud and proud for. Nearly every person at KP was doing the same too. No real Geelong supporter has ever begrudged Gary's choice. Some people forget that the Cats would have had to lose one or possibly two players to fit Ablett in the cap. Who know who they would have been and what effect it would have had on the club. Selwood contract was up the following year IIRC too, so who knows, we may not have been able to keep Joel.

Gazza is one of the most competitive, freakishly skillful and awe-inspiring talents to ever lace the footy boots. At his best, his game is a work of art. At his worst, he'll still get you 20 plus possessions. By the time he left the Cats at the end of 2010, he was already (in my view) a top 10 in terms of greatest of all time. By the end of 2014 - his fourth season at GC - he was being touted as potentially the greatest of all time (though that remains a debate, but top 3 is a no-brainer). That is the Gazza "legacy" (whatever it means) that I will remember. The past three seasons have been a downward spiral because of a number of factors, including serious injuries, personal life issues and general weariness from losing and being powerless to rescue what is clearly a sinking ship. Some of these factors are probably outside of his control. And, of course, old age and time is not something you can hold back either. You must remember that by the time Gazza went down in 2014 with his injury, the Suns were primed for a run towards the finals. His injury eventually derailed that season and put in motion a train wreck, but it effectively confirmed that Gazza's genius was so great that he could single handedly lead a young but talented team towards the race for the finals. I believe they lost all their remaining games that season without his leadeship. Can you imagine what might have happened if he hadn't injured his shoulder? And can you imagine if all those young gun players hadn't decided to "turn their backs" on the Suns and leave? Everyone talks about legacy as if it's a shoe-in. But with sports you never know when you might have to hang up the boots. Sportsman's career are generally limited and they must look after themselves. There's a fine line between loyalty and making sure that you make the best of opportunities to set yourself and your family up for the future. Gazza did whatever he thought was right at the time and I'm sure he'll tell you if you ever asked him that he has no regrets whatsoever. Clubs de-list players every year, some of whom have given their heart and soul to the club (think Harvey and Petrie) yet we never question their "legacy". People need to realise and see that the AFL, like all sports, is now a serious profession and business - and players have gotten smarter in how to handle their contracts and understand their worth. Gazza didn't "turn his back" on the Cats. He gave you 9 brilliant and mercurial seasons that included a Brownlow and 2 flags, and no doubt beautiful memories and highlights. He then moved forward to tackle a new challenge, which begun well but has ended unsuccessfully. He's done his best but it hasn't worked out. At the end of the day he's the Son of God - godly yes, but also human. I wished I had seen Gazza in more finals and grand finals. Maybe if he has a chance to go back to the Cats we might just see that ending.

I thought Gaz was more or less ordered north by the AFL for the good of the competition. IF he had of stayed things were likely to becomepretty uncomfortable for him at Gelong. I think its unfair for the revisionists to say now he should have stayed. Similar to Lance Franklin, though that move didn't quite go to script, but its clear to me that he was pretty much pushed out of Hawthorn. I think this is because Hawthorn had been preparing for at least 12 months for the move.

Once again media shouldn't blame the player for how the game has been administered. Even though attendance records may be broken, the game itself is declining under the direction of business people lacking in appreciation of the basic elements of why people follow the sport

Wow! So much vitriol in this article and comments. For this many people to be this outraged and visibly upset I didn't realise you lot were all passionate Gold Coast supporters. Ablett left to hep build a club and for an outrageous sum of money, I don't think anybody can knock him for that as every single one of us have a figure that we would change companies for. It was outlined to him, that the plan for GC is that they would be challenging from finals by the end of the first 5 year contract and premierships in his following contract. First contract probably yeah challenging for finals... second contract not even close to premiership. Gold Coast didn't uphold there end of the deal, and you can't blame just 1 player for them not achieving all this. Where is the anger towards Gold Coast? When Gold Coast challenges for a premiership, Ablett won't be involved in that. It is both parties interest to cut their loses. DalSanto went to North, Cooney went to Essendon, Lake went to Hawthorn, Cloke to Bulldogs all for one last shot at a premiership. Players in there twilights are changing clubs to try and win a premiership in there last few years. Reputations aren't getting tarnished from it. Let's just all take a deep breath and realise that him leaving Gold Coast isn't so diabolical as you're all making it out to be.

I said at the time, good footballer playing with a crap team. Hard to tell how good he really was. Going to GC didn't ever make sense. Give me Luke Hodge or Sam Mitchell any day.

No the shame is he was offered a 1 year contract, then pushed the Suns for a 3 year front loaded contract. Then asks to leave after 12 months What Gaz is doing is unethical in my book. The AFL needs to step in and ensure that Gold Coast are adequately compensated for having their marquee player threaten to sit out a year if he isn't traded to Geelong. I bet he wouldn't be so keen to go to Geelong if they were bottom 4 rather than top 4. The AFL can't let this become a legitimate negotiating tactic for mercenaries like Ablett. If Geelong want Ablett, they have to give Gold Coast their first round pick. Simple as that. Ablett is still a top 5 player in the league according to some radio station awards.

Very harsh on a bloke who has spent 7 years at this club and gave his all for most of it. He carried this club for many years on his own with no support. Injuries and being surrounded by incompetent players, coaches and administrators for so many years would take its toll on anyone.

They all seem like fair points, and I hope Dusty reads this too.

No, not at all. Don't begrudge him or anyone taking the cash, ever. What I'm leery about is Ablett trying pretty obvious and low tactics to worm his way home for a fairytale ending at Geelong. I think he's been paid more than enough to see his contract out and transition a new coach.

Gaz strikes me as a selfish guy more concerned about his stats than team success. Left an incredible team at Geelong to chase money on the Gold Coast. Has been a terrible captain and leader. Couldn't get along with his coach at Geelong, couldn't get along with anyone on the Gold Coast. Gaz was a divisive and toxic figure at the Suns. It's tarnished his legacy no doubt about it. Luke Hodge had less pure talent but made his team better with his leadership. Gaz has more pure talent but his leadership made the team collectively worse.

Gary Ablett's footballl career was/is/will be detroyed ! - are you serious ?- oh, I see lol, lol, lol...

Cheers gentlemen

Absolutely great take on the article.

Oh, come on. Are you telling me you wouldn't change jobs for 9 million bucks? Too many people living vicariously though footballers on here. Just because it didn't work out doesn't mean it was the wrong decision or that Ablett was somehow malicious in leaving.

Can you provide any quotes from Gary that might constitute "winging"????

I hate this article. Spiteful and disrespectful to one of the greatest players I have ever seen. Players are quite entitled to negotiate and seek better opportunities. They don't answer to mean spirited fans, they are looking after their families for the next 50 years, as they deal with post football life and all the challenges that it entails. Gaz didn't destabilise the Cats through any action of his. He was not allowed to sign with Gold Coast until the end of the year. I am sure he didn't leak the story. He never promised to be a leader of men, he promised - implicitly - to be a good footballer, and he did that in spades. He has never put a foot out of line as far as I am concerned, and if he gets back to Geelong they will be very lucky to have him. And finally - if Gary had stayed at Geelong, how the hell would they have squeezed Danger in?

GC have no one to blame but themselves regarding the concessions they gave to Gaz. I agree they never should have agreed to them

then he should do the right thing and stay at GC and stop winging about going back to Geelong