2001 was of course the mega draft, a draft that gave us the likes of Luke Hodge, Chris Judd, Luke Ball, Sam Mitchel Hodgey, Jimmy Bartel, Nick Dal Santo and Gary Ablett.
Ablett was something of an unknown, being from an unknown family, certainly no one knew if his dad could play or not.
The wraps were on his younger brother, 12 at the time, but already three heads taller than Gary.
Some thought he might be able to string a few games together, maybe drop a mark on an ageing full back and somehow manage to win mark of the century.
With those golden locks there was no doubt shampoo commercials would be doing the rounds, and the nuggety forward pocket, everybody knew, would never leave the Cats.
Well, maybe not nuggety, more fragile, but 20 years on this writer is ready to admit, those shampoo commercials are probably never going to hit our screens.
Gary Ablett, in two weeks, may just win his third premiership, that’s three more than dad, though they will be equal in grand final appearances.
His brother Nathan on the other hand, never lost a grand final, appearing with Gary in the 2007 triumph.
Three Premierships, one Brownlow, plenty of bests and fairests, a similar amount of Leigh Matthews medals, eight consecutive All Australians – it’s quite the dossier.
But this article is not all about hair, or the lack of it; it seeks to point out that there is one glaring stroke missing from the repertoire.
Gary is yet to have around his neck a Norm Smith Medal. He’s had probably more best on grounds than any other player, but not when it counts most.
In 2008, had the Cats have won, it would have been his, but now 13 seasons later, this, it seems, is his last chance.
So what does Gary, or moreover Brad Scott, have to do, for the Suns’ favourite son, to win that elusive Normy.
(Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
First on the list, and I think this is important, they must make the grand final. Second, selecting Gary will help. After that its anyone’s guess, but let me offer a suggestion.
Play Gary on Dusty, and let them go at it. Have some chap constantly knee Dusty in the thigh, over and over again, til it turns blue (and that gentleman is probably in hospital courtesy of a well timed fend off) and there Gary will have a chance of doing that Gary thing.
He can motor away with a handball fake and a measured kick to Tommy ‘I’m the best forward in the league’ Hawkins.
Also I’ve never seen Gary as a one on one defender, but if he can master it on grand final day, then surely he deserves the Norm.
Why not play Gary as the decoy full forward, with Tommy ‘overrated’ Hawkins in the pocket, bullocking everyone out of Gazza’s way?
Tell Paddy ‘Im not Irish’ Dangerfield only to kick to Gary, and Joel ‘I don’t duck’ Selwood to blast anyone who dares ask Gary to pass to them inside the forward 50.
No, if Geelong lose and Ablett kicks 6, he’ll win the Normy and thats what counts.
After all, in 20 years, the Cats of 2020 will just be another premiership team, or not; but Gary Ablett will still be a legend, and by then, an official AFL legend.
He will last the test of time, so c’mon boys, let’s get him some Norm form.
Gary Ablett might not say it much, but after cutting his hair, he lost much of his strength, but has kept battling for another 15 years, so here’s hoping that he walks away on that big day in September with two medals around his neck.
Cat
Roar Guru
He still took a pay cut. His move back to feeling had nothing to do with money at all. Was all about family - especially his sister who died not long after.
Nick
Roar Guru
Any proof of those "facts" of yours?
Nick
Roar Guru
A professional can go wherever they like, but they shouldn't be vilified for wanting to make money.
Facts are when Abletts contract was in the back half the money was only average, so he terminated early and left for greener pastures - didnt even see out the agreement, but happily took the front ended cash!
and left as soon as the money ran dry - I'm sure GC haven't forgotten
Precious much Spruce??? On your theory Dangerfield should have gone to St Kilda then yes???
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Young Gary's time uses more team oriented systems and higher demands on fitness so .... That's where the comparisons get tricky. On pure athleticism it's Gary Sen. for me. I was on the fence but when I broke down those qualities I had to hand it to the old man and it wasn't that close. I also think Dusty and a few others on their day give Gary J a close run.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Goals, I think senior brought more like 10,000 extra. By the way, talking about keyboard warriors, Youngone above is definitely not me. Must be that multi faceted Rowdy.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
For a truly exciting game, you can feel the excitement build from about now until the game. For an asterisk year, it has been a corker of a final series.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Young Gazza is a better all round player than his dad. He is fitter and worked harder. He is probably more team focused. But his dad was freakish particularly in the marking contest. One and two, in order of the oldest first. I can’t understand the narci comments. Junior is such a nice person. Not arrogant. And I feel for his current situation with his son. Take him into retirement with a third premiership. Go Catters.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
On Pure athleticism I think Gary Ablett Senior is a worthy best ever yardstick. Strength, Speed, Coordination, Balance, Poise, Spring, Gymnastics, Wrestling, Grappling, Tumbling, Spacial Awareness, Fearlessness .... pretty much tens or close to all round. That's what the extra five thousand he bought through the gate came to see. If you want to get to mitigating and add in other factors such as gongs and off field you can, but you corrupt the process. Footballers are athletes first and foremost and no cups or medals are going to change any of the above. The great thing about Aussie rules is that it brings out so many different athletic qualities. A lot of the rest of the talk is Psycho Footy Head Keyboard Warrior Tribal Warfare. But don't stop I love it. :silly:
DingoGray
Roar Guru
You Cat supporters are very sharp! Nothing get past you guys.... As for the game. I have to admit it's the most confident I've ever been with the Lions. I understand you gave us a good wallop earlier in the year in Sydney, but I think we are in a much better place. But we are still going to have to be at our best! You were slick on the weekend. I think it's going to be a corker
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
No the final statement didn’t slip through. Should be a good game. It might even go down to who kicks straight. Goes for both sides after the Port game.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
It was just for you Dr
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
You know that will come back to haunt you?... Mind you, it's the kind of thing I'd say too. :silly:
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Fantastic player. Has been an absolute marvel of the AFL. Fair argument that he's The Greatest Player of All Time. Hope he plays well in his last game this weekend....
Mick_Lions
Roar Pro
Living in Brisbane i got to watch Gaz play every weekend. He is called The Little Master for a very good reason. Week in, week out, he would dazzle the world with his skills an I for one rate him as the best of his generation and the best I've watched play. Dusty's 2017 was the best season I've seen a player put together but Ablett did it for 10 years.
slane
Guest
Why? The comparison isn't to show one is better than the other. It's just to point out that Dustin Martin has been playing football to an incredibly high standard for the entire length of his career. Right up there with the greatest players who have ever played our game, IE Gary Ablett.
Youngone
Guest
Martin is not a skid mark on gazzas jocks. Overated player, who 3 years ago when Richmond weren't good no one heard of him.
Dave
Roar Rookie
Gary has played 355 games, Dusty 242. Wait till careers finish to compare Brownlow votes/game.