Gazza out to play in all games
BOOM Geelong recruit Gary Ablett has allayed any fears over his body and has declared he will be ready to go by the time day one of pre-season rolls around.
So keen is Ablett to make an impression on the younger Cats players and enhance his reputation at GMHBA Stadium with his senior teammates, the 33-year-old is in training, starting pre-season a month ahead of schedule.
The two-time Carji Greeves medallist was due to front up on December 4 but has been hard at work building his fitness base after playing only six of Gold Coast’s last 14 games in the 2017 season.
In the coming days he will start getting to know some of his younger teammates.
Ablett said he had no doubt he had plenty of good footy ahead of him.
“The body is feeling great, I’ve been doing a fair bit of training just to make sure that I’m ready to go day one of preseason,” he said.
“There are no issues with the shoulder, obviously I missed a bit of footy at the end of last season but I’m on top of that now. I’ve spent a bit of time with the physios and the doctor, and I’ll be ready to go.
“I’m 33 now but the body is still feeling really great. For me, it’s just a matter of putting the work in during pre-season and the focus for me is getting out there and playing as many games as possible.
“I feel I’ve still got some good footy to offer but at the same time I think I can help fast-track these young guys and spend some time with them in the week, whether it be going over tape or spending time with them out on the training track helping them develop the basics of the game.”
Ablett is aiming to play every game next year as the Cats seek a second premiership for coach Chris Scott.
He revealed his seven years with the Suns had taught him some valuable lessons he could pass on to his younger teammates and said he was looking forward to partnering up with Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield and Mitch Duncan throughout 2018.
“I think when you’re put among a young group you’re kind of forced to grow up,” he said.
“It was tough moving away from family, it was tough working with new people, and it was tough working with a younger group. But I think I’m able to bring my experience back down here and (help) a young group down here that I’m really looking forward to working with.
“Having that support around me is going to make things easier as well. You’ve got guys like ‘Sel’, who has been in the industry for 12-13 years now, he’s experienced success and he knows what it takes.
“Patty as well, Mitch Duncan’s 26 now and he was only young when I left, so it’s going to be really great working with those more senior heads as well.”