Ablett was the typical country footballer who
found it difficult to cope with the city life. He originally tried out with
Hawthorn where his brother Geoff played. He played six games in 1982 but then
returned to the bush. He was lured back to the VFL with Geelong and was best on
the ground in the first game he played. From that first game he has gone from
strength to strength.
Ablett's honours include the Geelong's Best and Fairest in 1984, the Coleman
Medal for the league's leading goal kicker in 1993-1995 and Geelong Co-Captain
in 1995-1996. He has won All Australian selection in 1984, 1989, 1990, 1992,
1993, 1994 and 1995. In the Centenary year he was named on the interchange bench
in the team of the Century. During the 1996 season he passed the 1000 goals
landmark ending with 1021 goals after ending his career with a disappointing
1997 season due to a knee injury.
He has played in four loosing Grand Finals including being Best on the Ground
and winning the Norm Smith Medal in the 1989 Grand final loosing to Hawthorn.
Ablett played 242 games.
Gary Ablett was chosen by the Geelong Football Club as its star on the
Geelong Centenary Maximum Card and Postcard. The maximum card is displayed
below. The postcard is essentially the same except that the background is
brighter and there is no postmark. A cover with the
outline of the
postcard was also released.
