Richmond captain Trent Cotchin’s admiration for retiring AFL superstar Gary Ablett goes a long way.
It doesn’t, however, extend to wishing the Geelong veteran a victorious farewell from the game in Saturday’s grand final against the Tigers.
“I like Gaz, not that much though,” Cotchin said when counterpart Joel Selwood said it would be “lovely” to see his teammate with a winner’s medal around his neck at the Gabba.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Whatever the result from Saturday’s premiership decider, it will mark the end of one of the greatest careers in AFL history.
Dual Brownlow medallist Ablett has achieved everything there is to achieve in his 356 AFL matches since debuting way back in 2002.
As well as his pair of Brownlows, the 36-year-old has picked up two premiership medals, eight All-Australian blazers, six club best and fairest awards and five Leigh Matthews trophies.
He and Selwood are the only Cats players who’ll take to the field on Saturday who were a part of the club’s 2007 grand final triumph – a victory that ended a 44-year premiership drought.
The Cats skipper denied Ablett’s final game was any extra motivation for his team however.
“That’s no disrespect to him but Gaz came out at the start of the year, basically, and allowed everyone, the football world, to know that this is our last one,” he said.
“Hopefully I speak of everyone, but we’ve celebrated him the right way.
“And, yeah, it would be lovely to see him up there, receiving a medal at the end of the day.”
sven
Roar Rookie
gotta be in the convo re best finals player, just took out his 3rd gary ayres award (best finals player) to go with 3 norm smiths, not a bad resume ..... mind u these awards havent been around that long
Boo
Guest
I agree Dave we aren't up with the top clubs in terms of flags .Have mixed feelings about Ablett I always felt his talent was wasted at Gold Coast and undoubtedly Geelong would have won more flags if he had stayed.If Martin wins the Norm Smith and leads the Tigers to the flag does that make him the best big game player ever?
Dave
Roar Rookie
Yes perhaps in the modern afl era, but your team is still lagging behind a little in the overall premiership standings!
Boo
Guest
100,000 members in the Tiger Army the team on the verge of greatness possessing an immortal in Dustin Martin win or lose its still about a Geelong player - We are Geelong the greatest team of all.
Dave
Roar Rookie
True Realist. Not sure whether it will motivate the cats or perhaps drive the tigers to go even harder and apply more pressure!
2dogz
Roar Rookie
Kinda like Lynch
Mark
Roar Rookie
Not really sure why everyone is getting all mushy and sentimental about Ablett. It's not like he's a one club player......or Dangerfield either. They're both mercenaries at the end of the day.