Gary Ablett Jr.

Early life

Gary Ablett, Junior was born to Gary and Sue Ablett in the country town of Modewarre, Victoria. As the eldest boy among three other siblings, Ablett's childhood coincided with the peak of his father's footballing career. Along with his brother Nathan, Ablett would regularly attend his father's training sessions and weekly games. Geelong players regarded them as "barefooted pests in the rooms", and would often engage in kick-to-kick sessions with both of the boys. He attended Christian College Geelong during his schooling years.

Ablett played junior football with the Modewarre Football Club until he was chosen to play for the Geelong Falcons in the Under 18 TAC Cup competition in 2000. Ablett's selection was met with controversy, as some families of other prospective junior players felt Ablett was chosen on the basis of his famous family heritage rather than footballing merit. However, the Falcons' football manager Mick Turner repeatedly dismissed speculation. Nonetheless, as the son of a popular and famous football player from Geelong, Ablett attracted a large following even at junior level. Although he was still a bottom-aged player, Ablett received mid-year State honours for Victoria Country during the 2001 National Championships. After spending one year in the TAC Cup, Ablett entered his name into the 2001 AFL Draft at the conclusion of the 2001 season.

Early career (2002-2006)

Ablett was drafted by the Geelong Football Club with their fifth selection, and was the fortieth overall draft pick in the 2001 AFL Draft under the father-son rule. Ablett made his senior debut for the club in the opening round of the 2002 AFL season, where he gathered 8 disposals and took 4 marks. Ablett made twelve senior appearances in total during the season, before spending the latter half of the year with the reserves team. Playing as a small forward, he helped the club's reserves team win the 2002 VFL premiership against the Port Melbourne Football Club.

After achieving premiership success with the reserves team in the previous year, Ablett established his position in the senior side the following season. Ablett alternated as a small forward and midfielder, scoring 26 goals and appearing in all of Geelong's senior fixtures during the 2003 AFL season. Ablett finished the year ranked first at the club for tackles (77) and inside 50s (89), as well as second for hard-ball gets (65). Following another season without participation in the finals series, Ablett and his teammates began their 2004 campaign with an appearance in the pre-season competition final against St Kilda. During the home-and-away period, Ablett helped the Cats compile a 15–7 win-loss record to qualify for their first finals series in four years. Geelong progressed through to the preliminary finals, before losing to Brisbane for a spot in the 2004 AFL Grand Final. Ablett made 21 appearances in total over the course of the season, and kicked a career-high 35 goals. He once again finished the year ranked first within the club for total tackles (93), and was awarded the club's Best Team and Most Constructive Player award at the end of the season. The following year, Geelong again qualified for the finals series after finishing the home-and-away campaign with a 12–10 win-loss record. They progressed through to the semi-finals, before a three-point loss to Sydney ended their season. Ablett's consistency, reflected with his appearance in all senior games during the year and team-high 86 tackles, was rewarded with a third-place finishing in the club best and fairest award.

After consecutive appearances in the finals series, Ablett and Geelong were expected to challenge for the premiership once again in 2006. The club's 2006 campaign began successfully when they captured the pre-season NAB Cup, winning their first pre-season premiership since 1961. During the season, Ablett kicked a career-high six goals against Fremantle in round twelve, before making his 100th senior appearance for the club in round twenty-two against Hawthorn. However, the Cats only managed to win 10 games throughout the season and did not qualify for the finals series. Ablett finished the season with 35 goals to win the club's leading goal kicker award and once again place third for the Carji Greeves Medal as the club's best and fairest player.

Brownlow Medal and multiple premierships (2007–2010)

After playing his first five seasons as a small forward who occasionally pushed up the ground, Ablett made a permanent move to the midfield in 2007. He helped the Cats finish the home-and-away season first on the ladder to win the McClelland Trophy and qualify for the finals series. Geelong progressed through to the 2007 AFL Grand Final, in which they defeated Port Adelaide by a record 119 points to win their first premiership since 1963. Ablett recorded 19 disposals, one goal, and an equal game-high eight tackles in the grand final victory.

Ablett played in all 25 games for the year and gained a number of individual accolades. After winning his first premiership, he also achieved All-Australian honours for the first time in his career. Despite being the favourite to win the 2007 Brownlow Medal, he finished equal-sixth with 20 votes behind teammate Jimmy Bartel on 29 votes. However, his breakthrough season was recognised by the AFL Players Association as they awarded him the Leigh Matthews Trophy as the league's Most Valuable Player. Ablett also became the youngest ever recipient of the AFL Coaches' Association (AFLCA) 'Champion Player of the Year' Award and the Australian Football Media Association (AFMA) 'Player of the Year' Award. Ablett also claimed two of the major media awards; the Herald Sun Player of the Year and The Age Player of the Year awards. Ablett completed his sweep of individual awards when he was awarded the Carji Greeves Medal as Geelong's best and fairest player for the first time in his career.

Ablett's breakthrough season was highlighted by his increased output in several major statistical categories: Ablett increased his disposal average to 26.7 (from 16.9 the previous season), kicks per game to 14.3 (from 10.1), and handpasses per game to 12.4 (from 6.8). He ranked first at the club and second within the league for total disposals (667) and total kicks (358), and also second for total handballs (309).

Ablett continued to establish his position as one of the premier players of the competition during the 2008 AFL season. He helped the Cats achieve a record-equalling 21-win season and secure the McClelland Trophy for the second successive year. His standout season was recognised early on when he was selected to play for the Victorian state team in the AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match. However, a groin injury prevented him from participating in the all-star event. Having qualified for the finals series in first position on the ladder, Geelong progressed through to the grand final for a successive year. Despite losing only one game during the home-and-away period, Geelong failed to capture the premiership as they were defeated by Hawthorn in the Grand Final. Ablett's performance in the final, during which he recorded a game-high 34 possessions, five tackles, eight inside 50s, and kicked an equal-team-high two goals, was recognised as he placed second in Norm Smith Medal voting for best afield in the grand final.

Ablett featured in 21 games for the season and was awarded All-Australian honours for the second successive year. Despite entering the 2008 Brownlow Medal count as the favourite once again, Ablett tallied 22 votes to finish third behind Adam Cooney. However, Ablett's performances throughout the year were further recognised when he was awarded the AFLPA Leigh Matthews Trophy and AFL Coaches' Association 'Champion Player of the Year' awards for the second consecutive season. After increasing his disposal average once again to 28.9 possessions per game, Ablett finished runner-up for the Carji Greeves Medal to teammate Joel Corey. His 606 disposals ranked ninth in the league, while his 318 handpasses throughout the season ranked him fourth within the competition. Geelong coach Mark Thompson described Ablett's 2008 season as "amazing" and implied he was unsure if Ablett could improve any more. Thompson cited that he believed Ablett to be "at the top of his game".

Ablett was appointed to the club's seven-man leadership group and inducted into the Geelong Football Club Hall of Fame prior to the 2009 AFL season. Following the 2008 AFL Grand Final loss, Thompson suggested that Ablett would become a more prominent player in the forward line to provide the team with another goal-scoring option. Ablett and his teammates began their 2009 campaign by winning the pre-season NAB Cup for the second time in four years. Ablett recorded 35 disposals and kicked three goals to place second for the Michael Tuck Medal as the player judged best afield in the final.

In round four, Ablett made his 150th senior appearance for the club against Adelaide and gained life membership with Geelong in the process. Ablett went on to tie Nathan Buckley's then-record of 46 disposals in a game while also setting a new record for most handpasses in a game (33). Ablett's proficiency in finding the football saw him reach 40 or more disposals in a game a record six times throughout the season, and 30 or more disposals fifteen times. However, Ablett's critics accused him of playing selfishly in pursuit of individual honours ahead of team values. Commentators such as Tim Watson claimed that Ablett had "become obsessed with the whole idea of going out there and being the best player" in order to win the Brownlow Medal. Despite this, Ablett helped Geelong finish the home-and-away campaign with an 18–4 win-loss record to finish second on the ladder and qualify for the finals series. After wins against the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood, Geelong progressed through to the Grand Final for the third successive season. During the final, Ablett gathered 25 disposals, six tackles, five inside-50s, and kicked one goal to help the Cats defeat St Kilda by 12 points and capture the premiership for the second time in three years.

Ablett's performances throughout the season were recognised at the 2009 AFL Players Association awards, where he was awarded his third consecutive Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFL Player's Association Most Valuable Player. Ablett's victory saw him become the first player in history to win the award three times. Ablett also won his third consecutive AFL Coaches' Association 'Champion Player of the Year' Award and was further acknowledged for his record-breaking season when awarded the 2009 Brownlow Medal. Ablett polled 30 votes to win the award despite missing the most amount of games (3) by any Brownlow winner since the 22-round season was introduced in 1994. Ablett's role in Geelong's premiership-winning campaign was further recognised at the conclusion of the season, when he was co-awarded his second Carji Greeves Medal alongside Corey Enright as the club's best-and-fairest player of the year.

Ablett averaged a career-high and league-leading 33.8 possessions per game throughout the season. Ablett also led the league in total handpasses (445), handpasses per game (20.2) and contested possessions (256). His 744 total disposals during the season also ranked second within the league, while his 494 uncontested possessions ranked fourth.

After the 2009 season, and indeed at many points during the season, speculation continued to mount that Ablett would leave Geelong at the end of 2010 and join the AFL's newest team, Gold Coast. On 29 September 2010 it was finally confirmed that he was joining the Gold Coast Suns in what is understood to be a multimillion-dollar deal.

Gold Coast: 2011–present

On 29 September 2010, Ablett signed a five-year contract with the new Gold Coast Football Club valued at $9  million and entered the first season in the 2011 AFL season. On 19 January 2011, after much speculation, Ablett was named as the Gold Coast's inaugural AFL captain.

Second Brownlow Medal: 2013

On 23 September 2013, Ablett won his second Brownlow Medal, becoming the first Gold Coast player to win the award and the 14th player in VFL/AFL history to win it twice. Ablett received three votes in the final round of the season, beating Geelong's Joel Selwood by one vote and Collingwood's Dane Swan by two votes.

Ablett is just the fifth player to win Brownlow Medals at different clubs, joining Ian Stewart, Peter Moore, Greg Williams and Chris Judd.

Season ending injury: 2014

Ablett had another outstanding season in 2014, averaging 32 possessions and kicking 24 goals before suffering a season ending shoulder injury in the Sun's win against Collingwood in round 16. Despite playing only 15 games he finished equal third in the Brownlow with 22 votes.

Leadership criticism and more injuries: 2015

Ablett's shoulder injury affected his preseason, but he took the field for the Round 1 game against Melbourne. He scored two goals and had 19 disposals in the loss, then had 23 disposals and kicked one goal in the round 2 loss to St Kilda; but laid only one tackle in the two games. The shoulder was still causing problems, and the Suns' medical staff sidelined him indefinitely before the round 3 clash with Geelong. Doctor Peter Larkins stated four weeks later that the status of Ablett's injury meant that he could "miss the majority of the season".

By the end of May, Ablett began to draw criticism from media personalities such as Garry Lyon and Jonathan Brown for his supposed lack of leadership in the struggling Suns side. On top of their numerous losses, some Suns players were displaying poor discipline and Lyon considered Ablett was not doing enough to prevent off-field indiscretions. When he refused to discuss the issues with Lyon on Triple M, Lyon described Ablett as "immature". The following Monday on Fox Footy's On The Couch program, Jonathan Brown lashed Ablett for not taking the field, claiming he was cleared to play by Suns medicos and he should "play through the pain". Ablett addressed these criticisms with a press conference on Wednesday June 3 saying it was not just an issue of pain and to return early would be "selfish". On Foxtel's AFL360 program, Ablett's former coach Bomber Thompson defended his decision not to play, stating that Ablett's high standards mean that he does not want to take the field if he cannot give 100% effort.

Ablett eventually returned for the Round 14 game against North Melbourne. Although starting quietly he was instrumental in the win, gaining 31 disposals and kicking 3 goals. He continued to perform well in the next two games, racking up 30 disposals in each and kicking four goals. However he was again struck down with a season ending injury in Round 17, suffering a medial ligament tear to the left knee in the first quarter of the Suns' loss to Adelaide. The recovery time required meant that he did not play again in the 2015 season.

2016 season

Ablett played 14 games for Gold Coast in 2016, averaging 27 disposals and six tackles per game. However he suffered another season ending shoulder injury during the Round 16 win over the Brisbane Lions. He polled six votes in the 2016 Brownlow Medal, taking him to a total of 220 career votes; the equal highest number in history (alongside Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell). In addition he has now received votes in 103 games, placing him second on the list of total games in which votes were awarded to a single player.

Television

In 2009, Ablett appeared alongside other AFL footballers in an AFL television advertisement titled "AFL: in a league of its own". The ad featured the players playing Australian rules football at famous sporting venues around the world, and in the middle of other sports being played, including basketball, soccer and American football. Ablett is featured in a scene evading cars in an international off-road rally driving event, before kicking the ball to Fremantle player Matthew Pavlich. The ad premiered on television on 22 March 2009.

Personal life

Ablett is a member of what has been called the "Ablett dynasty", a group of footballers all descended from Alf and Colleen Ablett. Ablett's father, Gary Ablett Sr., and two of his uncles, Kevin and Geoff Ablett, played senior VFL football from the 1970s to the 1990s, and his brother, Nathan Ablett, and cousin, Luke Ablett, both played senior football in the 2000s and 2010s. In May 2012, it was noted that, all together, Ablett's family had played a total of 900 matches, with his immediate family (Ablett, his father, and his brother) having a combined total of 500 matches. Ablett's aunt, Fay Ablett, married Michael Tuck, who was up until the 2016 AFL premiership season the AFL's all-time games record holder, with whom she had two sons who also played league football: Shane and Travis Tuck. Ablett's great-uncle, Len Ablett, played in Richmond's 1943 premiership side.

Ablett dated Nine Network presenter Lauren Phillips for seven years, having first started dating after the 2002 grand final of the Victorian Football League. However, in early January 2010 it was confirmed the pair had ended their relationship. Ablett then dated Canadian former model Abby Boulbol. In August 2010, Lauren Phillips confirmed that she and Ablett were back together, however in September 2012, their relationship ended after nine years together. At the 2013 Brownlow medal ceremony, Ablett was accompanied by girlfriend Jordan Papalia After a disappointing season in 2015 where injury kept him out of all but 6 games, some good news arose in the announcement of his engagement to Papalia in July.

Ablett is a committed Christian.

Statistics

Since his move to a midfield position during the 2007 season, Ablett has ranked highly in a number of statistical categories, both within his own club and within the entire league. He led Geelong in total disposals in 2007, 2009, and 2010, recording the second-highest number of disposals in the AFL in each of those years (behind Kane Cornes in 2007 and behind Dane Swan in 2009 and 2010). He also led Gold Coast in total disposals in their inaugural season in 2011. Ablett's 53-disposal game against Collingwood in 2012 equalled Greg Williams' record for the most disposals in a single game, set in 1989. He also holds records for the most handballs in a game (33 against Adelaide in 2009) and a season (445 in 2009). Ablett's large disposal numbers have made him popular amongst participants in fantasy football – as of July 2012, he is the fifth-most-popular selection in both Dream Team and Supercoach, the leading online fantasy football competitions.

Honours and achievements

Team

Individual

Individual

Non-club awards