DAD’S OVER THE MOON
HOMECOMING Abletts’ plan for some quality time
GARY Ablett has opened up about the closeness of his relationship with his father, saying he could not have asked for a more supportive upbringing as the son of a footballing legend.
There are not many people outside of the Ablett family’s inner sanctum who can profess to know much about how they have lived a life in the spotlight, but the two-time Brownlow medallist says his father has been a pillar of strength for him during an inconceivably difficult time.
Ablett, who made his first official appearance as a Geelong player yesterday since he was traded back to the club he started at 15 years ago, revealed his dad was the first person he spoke to after his move home to the Cats became official, and said Gary Sr was delighted his son was back in the blue and white hoops.
“He was over the moon, he was really was,” Ablett said.
“He was the first one to call me after I heard the news and he just said, ‘mate it’s going to be great having you back down and we can spend that quality time together’.
“I think the fact that he’s based down here, it means that we get to spend more time together.
“I think that was the thing he was most excited about, but also the fact that I’m coming back to the club that he spent 14-15 years at.
“He’s super excited. He’s always said to me, ‘mate, I’ll support you no matter what you do’.
“A lot of people don’t know my dad that well, but he has always been a super support throughout my whole football career . . . not just my football career, but life as well.”
In recent weeks the Abletts have had to deal with the tragic passing of Gary’s elder sister, Natasha, but the champion midfielder was somehow able to hide the pain from her loss as he spoke about what it meant to be back at Kardinia Park after a seven-year absence.
The two-time Geelong premiership star admitted it was an emotional experience stepping foot inside the building he called home for nine seasons, but said there were no regrets about his move to the Gold Coast and that he would not change anything about his football journey.
“The club has changed so much and the rooms have changed and the look of the place, but it’s exciting and a bit emotional . . . it probably hasn’t sunk in yet,” he said.
“This is the club I grew up supporting, I spent nine years of my football career here and I’m just super excited about getting back and getting into it, and hopefully winning plenty of games and having a crack at the premiership.
“I’ve had family, friends calling me, plenty of people messaging me on social media.
“It’s great to be around family, I’ve spent a bit of time down the coast with my mum and my brother and sister as well.
“If I could go back I wouldn’t change my decision. I think for me that was what I needed. I think moving away and taking myself out of my comfort zone and working with a young list really helped me grow a lot as a person and as a leader.”
Ablett also hinted that Cats fans could expect to see a bit more of Gary Sr throughout the 2018 season and said his dad’s competitive spirit was alive and well.
“I’m pretty sure he’s been down at a few games over the last seven years,” he said.
“He loves this football club and I’m sure that he’ll be spending plenty of time around here.
“He’s still saying to me he believes he can make a comeback and kick his three or four (goals) a game.
“You never know, we might able to get a spot for him on the list as well.”