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29 Gary Ablett

 
Details
Number29
Height182cm
Weight88kg
DOB14-05-1984
Debut2002
GamesGoals
2009020090
Career168Career218
Dreamteam Points
20090Go to Dream Team
Outlook
Achieved just about everything he could on a team and personal level in 2009, establishing himself as the number. one player in the AFL. Responded to every challenge thrown at him and, by season’s end, he had collected a premiership medal, a Brownlow Medal, a record third successive AFLPA MVP, All-Australian selection and he tied with Corey Enright for the best and fairest. Throw in the NAB Cup premiership and it could hardly have been any better for the 25-year-old superstar. Averaged 34 disposals a game, had six games where he had 40-plus possessions and still has his best football ahead of him.

SEASON BY SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

2009
  • Capped another outstanding season with second flag and the Brownlow medal
  • Also won AFLPA MVP and AFLCA player of the year
  • Named All Australian for third time and was co-winner of best & fairest with Corey Enright
  • Polled Brownlow votes in 13 of his 19 home & away games, including eight BOG
  • Ranked 2nd in AFL with 744 possessions, the 3rd highest total of all time
  • His average of 33.82 possessions per game is the highest in AFL history
  • Gary’s 445 handballs are the highest in league history
  • Had 25+ possessions in 20 of 22 games
  • Had over 30 possessions 15 times and 40+ six times
  • Celebrated his 150th game vs. Adel in rd 4 with 46 possessions and an AFL record 33 handballs
  • Averaged 30 possessions in finals series
  • Played in NAB Cup premiership win over Collingwood
2008
  • Another amazing season saw Gary earn All Australian selection and he was also named as AFLPA & AFLCA player of the year for second consecutive season
  • Finished third in Brownlow with 22 votes despite missing four games.
  • Played 21 games (19-2) and played in second straight grand final. Was brilliant in GF with 34 possessions including career high 22 handballs and was second in Norm Smith medal voting
  • Finished second in best & fairest
  • Averaged 28.9 possessions per game
  • Had 25 or more disposals in 17 of his 21 games
  • Career best 39 possessions and 25 kicks came against Nth Melb in rd 11
  • Ranked ninth in AFL with 606 disposals and fourth in handballs with 318
2007
  • Played all 25 games (21-4) and was best player in the AFL
  • Earned first premiership medal
  • Named All Australian team and was player of the year as voted by AFLPA, AFLCA, Herald Sun and The Age
  • Won his first club best & fairest
  • Polled 20 votes in Brownlow medal
  • Led Geelong with 667 disposals and 358 kicks, and was second with 309 handballs
  • Had 25 or more disposals in 17 of his 25 games
  • His 667 disposals are the 20th most ever in an AFL season
  • Ranked second in AFL for disposals (667), ninth in kicks (358) and sixth in handballs (309)
2006
  • Played 21 games (9-11-1)
  • Finished third in club best & fairest
  • Geelong’s leading goal kicker with 35
  • Career best six goals came in Freo in rd 12
  • Member of NAB Cup winning grand final team
  • Played his 100th AFL game in rd 22 vs. Hawthorn
2005
  • Played all 24 games (13-11)
  • Finished third in best & fairest
  • Gary’s 86 tackles were second most by a Geelong player and ranked 13th in the AFL
2004
  • Gary’s 93 tackles were most by a Geelong player and 11th best in the AFL
  • Named as best team & most constructive player
  • Played 21 games (15-6) including all three finals
  • 50th game came in rd 20 vs. Freo
  • Played in Wizard Cup grand final against St Kilda
2003
  • Played all 22 games (7-14-1)
  • Finished fourth in best & fairest
  • 77 tackles were a team best
2002
  • Made AFL debut in rd 1 vs. Essendon
  • Member of VFL premiership team
2001
  • Played in TAC Cup with Geelong Falcons
  • Represented Victoria in U18 championships
  • Came to Geelong as father-son pick in 2001 draft

At a Glance

  • Junior Clubs: Modewarre
  • Clubs: Geelong
  • Debut: 2002
  • Recruited from: Geelong U18
  • AFL Awards: See awards section
  • Club Awards: See awards section
  • Brownlow Votes: 86

News

We're in 'contract talks' says content Cat

Joel Selwood says he and Gary Ablett are keen to end the speculation they could join the AFL's new franchisesWednesday, January 20, 2010 - 8:24PM

2000-09: Who was Cats best?

Which player was the Cats best in the ‘noughties’? There are many candidates.Saturday, January 02, 2010 - 3:40AM

2000-09: Reliving the 'noughties'

The 'noughties' were a decade that will live in the memory forever.Friday, January 01, 2010 - 12:01AM

Cats stars catch the stars

Cats stars head overseas to watch some of the world's best athletes in action.Tuesday, November 03, 2009 - 9:36AM

Top 50: Cats dominate

Geelong dominates Mike Sheahan’s annual top 50 AFL players.Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 1:40PM

Video

Gary Ablett: Season highlights

Check out the 2009 brownlow medallists season highlightsTuesday, September 22, 2009 - 11:22AM

Ablett takes home Charlie

Gary Ablett speaks after winning his first Brownlow medalTuesday, September 22, 2009 - 12:01AM

Gary Ablett highlights

Watch some of Gary Ablett Jnrs greatest career highlightsTuesday, February 17, 2009 - 11:40AM

Eyes on Ablett Rd 11

Watch Jnr display poetic poise against the Roos last Saturday night.Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 1:54PM

Geelong Best & Fairest

Gary Ablett, Geelong Best and Fairest for 2007.Monday, January 21, 2008 - 12:00AM

Gary Ablett year by year

Year Club Gms Kicks HB Marks Poss Goals Beh Conv HO Tack FF FA B'low B+F
2002 GEEL 12 37 63 13 100 10 3 76.9% 0 25 7 1 0 28th
2003 GEEL 22 189 138 61 327 26 20 56.5% 0 77 21 11 3 4th
2004 GEEL 21 178 123 46 301 35 25 58.3% 0 93 14 27 3 8th
2005 GEEL 24 257 178 65 435 29 26 52.7% 0 86 23 22 3 3rd
2006 GEEL 21 212 142 74 354 35 28 55.6% 0 65 22 15 5 3rd
2007
 GEEL
 25
 358
 309
 98
 667
 30
 26
 53.6%
 0
 86
 42
 22
 20
 1st
2008 GEEL 21 288 318 100 606 26 24 52.0% 0 95 44 19 22 2nd
2009 GEEL 22 299 445 93 744 27 26 50.9% 0 92 27 24 30 1st
Totals   168 1818
 1716
 550
 3534
 218 178 55.1% 0 619
 200
 141
 86  
Best     25 33 12 46
 6 6   0 11 6 4    

AFL
Brownlow medal 2009
All Australian 2007, 2008, 2009
AFLPA MVP 2007, 2008, 2009
AFLCA Player of the Year 2007, 2008, 2009
Herald Sun Player of the Year 2007
The Age Player of the Year 2007

Geelong
Best and fairest 2007, 2009
Runner up best and fairest 2008
Third best and fairest 2005, 2006
Fourth best and fairest 2003
Leading goal kicker 2006
Most improved player 2003
Best team and most constructive player 2004

Premierships
VFL 2002 (Geelong dft. Port Melbourne)
NAB Cup 2006 (Geelong dft. Adelaide)
AFL 2007 (Geelong dft Port Adelaide)
NAB Cup 2009 (Geelong dft. Collingwood)
AFL 2009 (Geelong dft. St Kilda)

Representative honours
Victoria Country under 18 2001

Gary Ablett history vs. opponents 2002-2009

Opponent Gms Kicks HB Marks Poss Goals Beh HO Tack FF FA
Adelaide 12
 94 116 32 210 14 10
 0 42 9
 5
Brisbane 10
 118 99 20 217 11
 9
 0 42 13
 9
Carlton 7
 77 90 27 167 14 8
 0 26 11 4
Collingwood 10
 122 117 38 239 11 22 0 34 9 12
Essendon 10
 99 105 39 204 15 12 0 36 7 9
Fremantle 12
 126 121 24
 247 17 12
 0 46 11
 10
Hawthorn 11
 120 108 43 228 10
 11
 0 42 12
 11
Melbourne 14
 146 148 44 294 17 19 0 43 17 15
Nth Melb
 13
 134 117 35 251 19 10
 0 37 14 7
Port Adel 13
 141 124 48 265 12
 13
 0 57 17
 5
Richmond 9
 109 87 37 196 17 5 0 37 17 10
St Kilda 13
 126 123 40 249 15 12 0 49 17 12
Sydney 10
 131 86 26 217 14
 9 0 45 16 11
West Coast 10
 111 104 41 215 14
 9
 0 43 10 7
W- Bulldogs 14
 164 171 56 335 18 17 0 40 20 14
Playing record (at start of 2010 season)
AFL
Geelong: 168 games, 218 goals
NAB Cup
Geelong: 18 games, 22 goals
VFL
Geelong: 14 games, 20 goals
TAC Cup
Geelong Falcons: 17 games, 21 games

Milestone games

Milestone versus round venue result
AFL debut Essendon rd 1, 2002 MCG L 50
50th game Fremantle rd 20, 2004 Skilled W 50
Finals debut Port Adelaide QF, 2004 AAMI L 55
100th game Hawthorn rd 22, 2006 Telstra L 61
150th game Adelaide rd 4, 2009 AAMI W 48

Draft history
Selected by Geelong with 40th pick in 2001 national draft as father-son selection

 

Name: Gary Ablett
Your earliest football memory is: the cold mornings
Where were you on the day you were drafted: at home
First person you called after you were drafted: dad
The hardest part of pre-season training: long days
Favourite training drill: the last one
If you could play another professional sport, it would be: NBA
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you: I’m going bald
Life motto: anything is possible through Jesus
Where is the furthest you have been from home: London
What is the oldest item in your wardrobe that you still wear: old beanie
Most environmentally conscious teammate: David Johnson
Teammate most likely to go into politics after football: Darren Milburn
What rules you more – your heart or your head: my heart
The last concert you went to: Jason Davenport at a karaoke bar
Your favourite cricketer: David Warner
French fries or wedges: fries
Speedos or boardshorts: board shorts
What’s on your iPod: Kanye West, JT, Toby Mac

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